Hooker Hayman relishing taking Rams’ armband

NEW captain Max Hayman cannot wait to take on the armband as Rams get ready for their fifth tilt at National 1, writes Richard Ashton.

The hooker, who switched from Newbury ahead of the 2019/20 campaign, has gone onto make 75 first team appearances and was an ever-present last term.

His 26 tries — he has 51 in total — helped earn him the players’ player of the year gong, while he also took the tackling trophy to complete a treble as the number one finisher.

And Hayman, who has previously skippered Berkshire to a Bill Beaumont County Championship final defeat to Oxfordshire, is relishing the new challenge.

He said: “It’s a real privilege for me, having been here since I was 18, I’ve worked hard, and I’m so pleased to get the opportunity as captain.

“Rams have really helped me push on — a huge thanks to (director of rugby) Seb (Reynolds), (forwards coach) Owen (Root), (backs lead) Danny (Batty) and the other coaches, as well as the likes of (former captain) Robbie (Stapley) and the other senior players on the pitch.

“Rams is a collaborative club where everyone’s opinion is valid, I’ve had the chance to offer input before and it’s nice to have the chance to be a leader of that now.”

Following back-to-back runners-up finishes, Hayman’s confidence remains high while also praising the new recruits coming into Old Bath Road. He explained: “After finishing second in the first year we dropped to sixth, but we’ve bounced back well and obviously we’ve finished second, two years in a row.

“It would be easy to say ‘oh that could have been our year’, but while it’s frustrating, it also shows we’ve made a statement about what we are and now we’ve just got to take it to the next level.

“All the new guys who’ve come in seem really good and have experience, the likes of Nile (Dacres) has got an impressive CV, Morgan (MacRae) has international experience with Wales Sevens, so it’s great and always nice to have some fresh faces.”

The front row’s family have been regular supporters since his move to Old Bath Road, and he saved his final words for the fans.

He concluded: “I want to thank them again for the incredible support home and away last year — my little brother did every game bar Sale away because he couldn’t get there, and there were so many others who were similar.

“Hopefully it can be the same again, it’s massively appreciated by the players — Richmond away was probably the best I’ve known from our fans as you couldn’t hear the home ones.

“It will be good to get as many people as we can every week to try and make it a great season.”