Two penalties tries in the second half for the Rams proved to be the deciding factor between the two sides in a game that lacked quality largely due to the harsh conditions, which Rams head coach, Seb Reynolds, commented on after the game, saying, ‘I was pleased with the way we played for parts of the first half . We had discussed how we were going to play in these sorts of conditions, because we knew the rain was due, and to a large extent the boys executed that, but there were two moments where we didn’t and we handed Barnes two tries. That’s what happens in these rainy conditions, you slip up in the middle of the park and the opposition come and score.’ However, Reynolds was also quick to praise his sides second half performance that ultimately earned them the victory, saying, ‘in the second half we were quite dominant. We had to play field position against a lively Barnes team who were really battling hard, so I give a lot of credit to them for staying in the game. But overall it’s great to come away with a bonus point win and I’m very happy with the effort put in by the lads.’

Barnes came out the quicker of the two sides, putting points on the board after just 2 minutes, having won a line out following an exchange of kicks that had put them on the front foot, the Barnes men drove to the line for the first try of the afternoon.

Having resisted the early Barnes pressure, the Rams replied with a try of their own in similar fashion to the first after 12 minutes, driving to the line with Baker placing the ball down in the corner to bring the sides level.

Owing to the back and forth nature of the game, the next try scoring opportunity fell to the home side as Murray exhibited some quick thinking, tapping and going from a penalty and weaving his way through the Rams defence, only to be brought down agonisingly close to the line.

The men from Barnes were not done here though, as they went through the phases with the try eventually being disallowed for a double movement.

Not disheartened Barnes continued to pile the pressure on the Rams as an extremely scrappy move involving a failed clearing kick from Duffelen almost allowed the home side yet another scoring opportunity only for the ball to just evade them going out of play.

With the Rams stuck in their half, Seers took them out of trouble with a sublime kick. Shortly after this, Humberstone pierced the Barnes defence with a darting run and rounded the last defender by passing to Rossiter who burst over the line.

As the break seemed to be approaching quietly, as the Rams were advancing out of their 22, Van Der Poel intercepted a pass and ran the short distance to the try line to level the scores to 12-12 at half time.

Both sides came out slowly with nothing of note happening until after the 60-minute mark as the Rams superior fitness came into play and they were awarded a penalty try following a hard-fought drive.
Rams further capitalised on this momentum securing yet another penalty try following a yellow card for Everton and lengthy stoppage for injuries.
Barnes enjoyed a late surge scoring within the last 5 minutes, having driven from a penalty scrum, but it was not enough to overcome the Rams but gave them a well earned bonus point.

Rams will be back at home this Saturday 13th October against Nat 2 South newcomers Guernsey Raiders KO 2.30pm.