Tries from Paddy Harris – his first for the club at the 57th attempt – Oli Rhoads, Rowan Grundy, Connor Stapley, Clow and first-time starter Henry Bartlett, added to by five Mike Cooke conversions, got the job done in a pulsating clash at The Rock.
Rosslyn had led 12-0 after 10 minutes and 22-19 at the break, but the visitors’ relentless 80-minute effort secured a significant victory to leave them eight points off the play-off places at the halfway point of the campaign.
And Zach admitted: “I’d say it was our best performance of the season, but we also felt it was coming.
“It’s hard to predict what’s going to happen at Park because they like to play a fast, expansive game, yet we fronted up and brought our own style.
“They made it hard for us, but hopefully we can take this performance into next week and then the new year.
“We’ve got a bit of a habit of starting slowly, but we always seem to react well.
“(Having gone behind) we switched on, stopped the dropped balls, reacted to the bounces and kicked on in what was a back-and-forth game.”
Stunning cover tackle keeps Rams in control
Zach produced an all-court game in attack – repeatedly scything though the home side – defence, and with the boot in a performance reminiscent of fellow full-back Henry Bird’s sterling display at Sale in 2023.
The only blemish was an appeal to referee Ben Simpson which resulted in a Park penalty, and the back three flyer, who now has an impressive 39 tries in 62 Rams appearances, was quick to reaffirm the importance of those running the game.
He said: “I suggested their player might have been in from the side, but maybe I could have said it in a nicer voice!
“We respect the officials and they did a good job – there’s no game without them and they allow us to do what we do – so hands up.”
Having turned things round at the start of the second period thanks to Connor’s amazing interception breakaway and Zach’s try, the full-back then pulled off a remarkable stop by holding Chris Preen up as the centre seemed destined to cut the deficit.
Star man hails second-half defensive effort
Zach, however, pointed to the whole team’s effort as he remarked: “Our scramble defence was very good. We put a lot of heart into it and try and make sure any time they wanted to cross the line they really had to work for it.”
A first victory against a top-six side left the travelling support in good spirits, and Zach closed by dedicating the victory to the fans.
He said: “We’ve been there or thereabouts all season and this will hopefully be a statement because we’ve let some possible wins slip by – we need to push on and challenge the other top sides in the second half of the season.
“I have to give it to the Ramily – they’re incredible.
“Wherever we go they’re with us and hopefully we put on a show for them.”
Rams visit Dings Crusaders in another relatively local away game in Bristol next Saturday (3pm).
