Centurion Jones impresses as Rams ease to comfortable win

CAPTAIN Max Hayman was relieved to overcome a third-quarter blip as his side defeated National Division 1 visitors Clifton 45-25 last Saturday, writes Richard Ashton.

Rams grabbed two early scores through Zach Clow and Axel Kalling-Smith before Ollie Stirling went over for the Bristolians.

But despite five points from the boot of James McKinney, they trailed 24-10 at the break with Hayman bagging a brace.

Clifton, though, surged ahead as Zak Hamid and Harry Johnson dotted down, McKinney with another conversion and penalty.

Yet Rams rallied in the final 13 minutes, Hayman, Harry Stone and Clow all crossing the whitewash as Mike Cooke made it five conversions from seven attempts.

The fly-half is now on 99 points in his first campaign at Old Bath Road.

Reflecting on a topsy-turvy encounter and where his side can improve, Hayman began: “I’ve got to credit Clifton — they’re a team fighting for their lives and threw everything at us.

“They had nothing to lose and were superb just after half-time, but we came back well.

“We’ve had so many games this season where we have these 15 minute bad patches, and as a group we’ve got to work to alleviate that from our game.”

Having trailed at the break in eight of their 10 previous games, the hooker explained: “We put a lot of hard work in during the week off, we were in on the Tuesday and Phil (Hoy) keeps us going.

“We pride ourselves on our conditioning and at the end, we could have just kicked the ball out, but Zach runs 20 metres to tap-and-go for an extra try.”

The skipper was also keen to praise man-of-the-match Aaron Tull, who starred off the bench in place of the injured Mike Duda, and centurion Ellis Jones.

Tull produced a moment of sensational skill during the build-up to Stone’s try, flicking the ball from the ground at full-stretch to keep the attack alive.

Hayman said: “I’d actually mentioned when we were having coffee before the game, he’s the one who can do these amazing things.

“I’ll admit he’s probably got the best hands in the forwards. I’m so happy for Ellis to reach 100 caps.

“He’s gone through some hardship with injuries during his career, and it’s credit to him the way he’s done his rehab, got back in the gym. He’s a stalwart of the side and I’d like to congratulate him on a great achievement. Hopefully there are many more to come.”

On a personal landmark, the front row’s fifth hat-trick of his Rams’ career took him joint-top in the club’s first-team league history.

He now sits level with Rodney Hutson and one clear of record try-scorer Robbie Stapley and Connor Hayhow.

And following a disjointed build-up, Hayman saved his final words of thanks for his teammates and the home support. He said: “I’ve been away all week so hadn’t trained either day, so it felt fast paced.

“But to do the full 80 minutes and get three tries, I can’t credit the boys enough.

“We’ve had a few home games this season where we’ve been on the wrong end of the result, but the crowd always come so we’re pleased to do it for them.”

Rams visit third-placed Blackheath tomorrow (Saturday), kick-off 3pm.