Clow impresses as Rams stun high-flying Rosslyn Park

DIRECTOR of rugby Seb Reynolds hailed a “brilliant game” after Rams toppled promotion-chasing Rosslyn Park 40-29 in National Division 1 at The Rock last Saturday, writes Richard Ashton.

The Berkshire men did things the hard way having slipped 12-0 behind inside 10 minutes, Jack Digby and Luke Mehson crossing for the hosts.

Rams responded supremely, Mike Cooke adding two conversions after Paddy Harris, Oli Rhoads and Rowan Grundy touched down in a helter-skelter opening 23 minutes which saw the visitors lead 19-12.

Rosslyn were back in front before the break, though Benji Marfo and Mehson over.

Connor Stapley’s extraordinary 60-metre interception dash, added to by Cooke, had Rams back in front early in the second half, and a seven-pointer from man-of-the-match Zach Clow nudged Rams 33-22 ahead.

Park came again through George Orchard and a Steffan James conversion, only for their opponents to close things out as debutant Henry Bartlett dotted down late on, Cooke’s brilliant touchline kick sealing the deal.

Reflecting on the win, Reynolds said: “It was a very good performance. Rosslyn Park have been playing some great rugby, they look dangerous as a side and I’ve been very impressed with what they’ve been doing.

“I said before I thought it would be a great game and I’m not surprised by what both sets of players produced — it was all-action from the word go with loads of tries.

“Everyone got to see a brilliant game, and I’ve got to give great credit to the lads.

“There was a brief spell in the second half where we were trying to bring them back into the game with a few moments of questionable game management, yet we got it together.

“It’s not been the easiest few weeks, but the guys were superb and we always felt with this squad they could produce this kind of thing.

“It shows we’re on the right trajectory.”

Star of the show was Clow, with Reynolds adding: “He was fantastic. He looked dangerous every time he got on the ball, exploited the wide channels early on very well and his options of when to kick were also excellent.

“He’s a great player and his attitude is ever-improving — he’s such a character in the group and huge credit to him.”

The victory in London was Rams’ first against a top-six side this season, but the head coach played down its significance and said: “I’m not really interested by that — I respect this league immensely and it doesn’t matter who we’re playing because they are all good teams.

“I’m only interested in how we’re developing and performing.”

Rams are again on the road at Bristol-based Dings Crusaders for their final game of year tomorrow (Saturday), kick-off 3pm.