This game saw Rams face up against local rivals Henley, who were 2nd in National 2 South at the start of the day, to set up a top of the table clash. Rams victory means their lead at the top of the table has been extended to 13 points, thanks to two late tries from star winger Jak Rossiter.

Rams head coach, Seb Reynolds, looked visibly drained having made it through the nerve-jangling affair as he spoke after the game, saying,
“I prefer comfortable wins to what we witnessed today, but that was an example of true talent in the local area. Henley are a young team and credit must go to Luke Allen and his group of lads, they have clearly improved throughout the season and it showed as they were better than us for large parts of that game. Our squad is probably a bit more experienced, as we’ve suffered close defeats before and we know how to avoid that now as we’ve learnt from coming through that adversity. All in all we showed guts, heart and determination to come back and win, which was really pleasing to see.”

Much of the first half passed by in a state of stalemate with neither side able to break through as both teams displayed some magnificent defensive work.

However, as the half looked to be coming to a close with the game scoreless, Henley burst forward, finding Hyde on the wing who darted past his opposite number and played the ball inside for ex Rams captain Dan Barnes to score in the corner, taking Henley into the break with a 5 – 0 lead.

Rams came out in the second half with an air of determination and it quickly paid dividends. After only 5 minutes of the restart the Rams pack drove powerfully to the line from a scrum five yards out to be awarded a penalty try and take a slender two-point lead.

Once again the game entered deadlock, with the only moment of note coming as the home side missed a penalty kick, coming agonisingly close as the ball bounced back into play off the post, this was until Rams’ prop Niall Kidd received a yellow card, allowing the game to open up as Henley looked to take advantage of their extra man, and take advantage they did. With the visitors down to 14 men Hawks patiently went through their phases and eventually drove to the line with Dave Manning scoring. Giles’ conversion gave Henley a 12 – 7 lead going into the final ten minutes and making for a tense finish.

As the atmosphere grew around the ground, and with Henley on the front foot, a misplaced pass from the home side allowed quick-thinking centre Ellis Jones to kick the ball towards the home sides try line, which Jak Rosssiter gathered and scored to take the two sides level with only 5 minutes left on the clock.

As the game moved into the final minute Rams forwards stormed the Henley line, the momentum now very much in their favour. They were denied a touch down by a stalwart Hawks defence, but as the home side threw more and more players into defending the relentless wave of drives, gaps appeared out wide, which three quick passes from Illingworth, Seers and Jones exploited to find Rossiter on the wing who once again danced his way through to score what turned out to be the winning try, much to the elation of the Rams bench and the many travelling away supporters.

This week Rams are at home to St Albans’ side Old Albanian, the only team to beat them so far this season, something that the home side will want to put right. KO 2:00 p.m at Old Bath Rd.