Rams Move to second place following comprehensive win over Chippenham

Their third successive win included two tries for fly half Nigel Gumbleton along with 15 points off the boot of his young half-back partner and scrum-half James Brooks plus a try for full back Andy Bryans on his starting debut.

The sparkling win, however, fell a little flat coming at the price that it did with both try-scoring No.8 Samir Kharbouch (dislocated shoulder) and hugely influential flanker Aaron Hopkins (hamstring) picking up injuries that will rule them out of next Saturday's line-up away to table-toppers Lydney and for some weeks beyond.

Afterwards buoyant skipper Owen Root praised his side and the back-room staff for all of their recent efforts.

He said: “I'm real happy! I asked for confidence and for every man to step up and make an impact on the game and that happened. Everybody on that pitch, during the full 80 minutes, did something to change that game and I really believe that and he added: “We've matured but we're not getting ahead of ourselves. We're very happy about today but that actually comes from the weeks training that we put in and the motivated attitude of all of the people around the club generally. Everything that goes on behind the scenes to help the players is really, really, good and there's a good vibe at the moment in this rugby club.”

Buoyant Rams roared out of the blocks with an opening minute try when, from a scrum, Gumbleton and wing Joe Duffelen combined forces to put Ulster U21 Bryans into huge space for an effortless touchdown and give Brooks his opening two-pointer.

But, within eight minutes, Rams had lost centre Andy Amor to the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle as the pacey visitors looked to be getting into their stride.

However a Brooks penalty, when centre Hugh Campbell strayed offside under Rams pressure in the 22, made it 10-0 and with Rams flanker Aaron Hopkins in impressive form they had soon stretched their lead when Hopkins drove up the middle before flipping the ball back to fly half Gumbleton who steamed over wide-out and, within five minutes, they were further in front when, following a yellow card for the visitors tight-head prop and a scrum close to the visitors line, Kharbouch touched down his third try in as many games wide out but at too fierce an angle for Brooks to convert.

Brooks did add the extras to Rams fourth try on 32 minutes following a free-kick and some more good work from Kharbouch and Hopkins to set-up wing Josh Smith for his first touchdown of the season.

Then, another big Rams break with both Gumbleton and Bryans lending a hand, saw centre Steve Bryant racing over for number five on 40 minutes and Rams comfortably leading 34-0 at the break.

With all three replacements on the second-half didn't start so happily for Rams as Kharbouch went down injured almost immediately ending his game and then, following an altercation, both Rams prop James Baker and visitors lock Aidan Ascott were yellow carded.
But, within two minutes, Rams had scored again this time, perhaps, with the try of the match from Gumbleton who set off on a solo run beating two before shrugging off the last defender to score under the posts and give Brooks an easy target.

Chippenhams full back Jon Squire did manage to cut the deficit to 41-5 with the visitors only points of the game before Rams hooker Rory Paxton buried his way over off a maul for try number seven.
A concentrated attack from Rams also then paved the way for Duffelen's 66th minute unconverted touchdown and they wrapped it all up on 79 minutes thanks to a great break from Smith and for Bryant to set-up Chandler for his first league try of the season.

As a positive Gumbleton said afterwards: “I'm pleased with that and the scores for myself and it was a massive improvement from four weeks ago when we were down in the depths of Devon and losing to Barnstaple. I think that they put up good fight against us but we just played outstandingly well today and I don't think that many teams would have coped with us today. And, with Lydney next week, I think, if we can play like that again, we'll give them a great run in and get a `W' down there!”

Rams: Bryans; Smith, Bryant, Amor, Duffelen; Gumbleton, Brooks; Batten, Paxton, Baker; Root (c), Kenneally; Bryson, Hopkins, Kharbouch. Reps all used – Owen, O'Connell, Chandler.

Report by Steve Williams