Rams gain back-to-back pre-season wins

RAMS produced an enterprising display featuring some skilful attacking work and resolute defence as they won their second pre-season game 47-24 at National Division 2 West outfit Taunton Titans last Saturday, writes Richard Ashton.

The hosts started brightly but it was the Berkshire side who took the lead as Axel Kalling-Smith brushed off defenders at will to dot down on the right.

Mike Cooke landed a smart conversion, but Titans replied swiftly with Ozzy James going over in the corner.

The end-to-end nature of the contest continued as Willo Bicknell showed a handy turn of pace to run in from 35 metres out a minute later, the lead extended by skipper Max Hayman.

With Cooke twice more on target it was 21-5 to the visitors, but Taunton replied at the start of the second quarter, Sam Leworthy powering under the posts from close range before Dan Martin added the extras.

Mike Duda’s searing break nearly added another for Rams, his attempted off-load knocked on with the line begging, but his side did score with the final play of the opening half, Kalling-Smith’s chip inside collected by Oli Rhoads for a converted try.

The away side made several changes at the break, Ant Marris was introduced following his long lay-off before Rams grabbed a fifth, Ellis Jones jinking past a couple of opponents before timing his pass perfectly to send Alex Mannhardt over.

Rams’ defence was aggressive throughout and forced a sixth try, Rhoads picking off an interception to race home from halfway, Harris Rutherford on target for 40-12.

Things got better soon after as two young replacements, prop Max Marshall and back row Will Moss, combined to send Ollie Hodgson across the whitewash.

Rutherford landed the conversion, but his side’s discipline began to evade them as a string of penalties were awarded to the home team.

And having gained territory for a while, they eventually scored as Elvis Taione burrowed over from close range for a converted score.

Morgan MacRae paid the price for his side getting on the wrong side of the referee, yellow carded with five minutes to play, and Taunton made their extra man count as Jay Toogood sniped over from the back of a five-metre scrum, Martin again on target before full time was called shortly afterwards.