RAMS suffered a deflating 49-19 National One reverse at unbeaten Tonbridge Juddians.

The visitors actually made a perfect start, camping in their opponents’ 22 and forcing plenty of penalties.

And eventually the TJ’s dam burst, Alex Ridgway powering over for a score added to by Ross McKay.

Yet as they often do, Rams shot themselves in the foot by conceding almost immediately.

A kick straight into touch gave the hosts field position, and they eventually worked the ball to wing Jack Walsh to dot down on the right.

Home side turn the screw

Connor Lloyd slammed home a brilliant touchline conversion and then took an inside ball soon after for another seven-pointer.

The hosts were now on top, and while Rams defended well initially, a clearance kick was pounced on and two passes later Matt Engelbrecht was next to the posts.

Lloyd added a simple nudge before his side secured their bonus-point, Walsh doubling up.

Another brilliant conversion made it 28-7, but the visitors gave themselves a lifeline as Pete Austin mauled over.

McKay halved the deficit, but TJs had the final word of the first half.

And it was ex-Ram Steffan James who collected his own chip to cross for another converted try.

A strong start to the second period was needed for the visitors, but it could not have gone worse.

A string of penalties ended with Ryan Cozens sin-binned, and Jack Nay then blasted over before Lloyd made it 42-14.

Rams, though, did respond, and it took a brilliant James tackle to deny Darren Atkins following an interception.

Counter punch ends faint hopes

The visitors then spent much of the next 20 minutes in opposition territory, but found their rivals’ defence in top form – even after Harrison Langworthy was sin-binned.

Three times they were held up over the line, and they were then dealt a cruel sucker-punch as TJs cleared their lines, went up the other end and another former Ram, Vinny Everitt wrestled his way over.

Lloyd’s metronomic boot extended the lead, but Rams again put pressure on before Jay Smith was carded.

Austin grabbed his second from the set-piece to raise hope of a try bonus-point, but TJs saw out the final 90 seconds to complete a resounding seventh straight success.

Rams have a week off before hosting Leeds Tykes on Saturday, October 31 (3pm).

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