Rams 29 - Chippenham 12

Leading 7-5 at the break, following flanker Azza Hopkins third try in two games, Rams turned the screw over the second 40minutes that included two tries in four minutes from wing Sean McDermottroe plus touchdowns from scrum half Jack Hill, on his starting debut, and wing Joe Duffelen.
But their 12th win of the season proved unfortunate for some with both centre `AJ' Hopkins and flanker `Azza' Hopkins sidelined with hamstring problems in the second half and, possibly, ruled out of next Saturday's big home tie with league leaders Lydney.
“The first half was a tough battle,” admitted skipper and No.8 Andy Amor. “They had close to 80% of the ball but, all credit to our defence, we only conceded one try even though they were on our line most of the half. It just shows why our defensive record is so strong.
And he added: “But it was good to play a little more attacking stuff in the second-half and the game had opened up a bit and there was some good stuff from the backs and Sean, in particular, made it a good second half.”
Rams kicked off with the sun in their backs and looked sharp and full of running in the opening minutes before the home side forced their way into the Rams 22. A skirmish between the two packs added spice to proceedings before a re-set five-metre scrum finally saw Chippenham No.8 explode off the back and power over in the right-hand corner.
With the conversion missed Rams came back with the perfect repost by scoring within two minutes of the re-start courtesy of a superb break from centre Steve Bryant and who found flanker Azza Hopkins up in support to power over.
With regular place kicker James Brooks rested for the match full back Andy Bryans assumed the kicking duties and promptly landed the conversion to put Rams 7-5 ahead.
And that's how it stayed until half-time with Rams very much under the cosh and with only their strong tackling keeping the home side at bay.
The second half didn't start too brightly for Rams either with centre `AJ' Hopkins going off after four minutes to be replaced by the long-serving Spike Chandler.
But a great drive from the visitors, deep into the home sides half, earned a five metre line-out well-taken by Amor and well supported by prop James Baker at the ensuing maul.
When Rams eventually released it McDermottroe made space before handing on to Bryans who in turn found wing Joe Duffelen to smash his way over wide out on the right.
Bryans again added the two points with a magnificent touchline conversion for a 14-7 lead and, from then on, Rams never really looked like losing the match.
Especially when, despite some illegal attempts to stop him, fly half Nigel Gumbleton took a quick throw-in at a line-out to scrum-half Jack Hill and the newcomer raced away and danced his way around the home full back to touch down an unconverted try.
“It was lovely to score that try from a quick line-out,” recalled Hill afterwards. “Nigel took the quick throw-in and the field just opened up in front of me with only one man to beat and I checked inside him and went over.”
Although the home side struck back soon after when full back Joe Squire burst through the Rams midfield defence to score under the visitors posts and cut the deficit to 19-12 Rams hit back with two tries, both from wing Sean McDermottroe, to put the outcome beyond doubt.
The first followed a seering Steve Bryant break with Duffelen, Amor and Bryans all combining to send the left-wing cruising over while, just four minutes later, Bryant and Gumbleton set up a second for the wingman neither of which were converted.
Afterwards McDermottroe said: “In the first half one or two got away from me but, in the second half, I was in the right place at the right time. I thought our defence in the first half was quality and, attacking wise, we were a different side in the second half.”
And which try did he enjoy scoring the best?
“I think it was probably the second one and if I hadn't have scored it I would have got an earful from those outside me!”
Overall this was a hard-earned win for Rams but one that keeps them very much in line for at least the end-of-season play-offs.
Up front there was some big performances from the likes of hooker Rory Paxton and skipper Amor at No. 8 while behind the pack full back Andy Bryans, centre Steve Bryant, Hill and the try-scoring McDermottroe all had fine games.
And deliberating over his first full start in a 1st team shirt and summing it all up try scoring scrum half Jack Hill said: “The game was great and I really enjoyed it, especially in the first half. We really dug in and held our own and then we executed well in the second half and scored a few tries and went from there.”
Next up runaway table-toppers Lydney and a huge test of Rams capabilities especially in the light of all their recent injuries.
Rams – Bryans; Duffelen, Bryant, `AJ' Hopkins, McDermottroe; Gumbleton, Hill; Weller, Paxton, Baker; Kenneally, Jeffreys; Hopkins, Poole, Amor. Reps (all used) – Batten, Owen, Chandler.

Report by Steve Williams