SEB Reynolds admitted there is much for Rams to work on following their opening-day 50-22 home defeat to Sale FC.

On a tricky National One afternoon, the visitors went 12-0 up thanks to tries from Mark Dixon and Joe Green, plus a James Mitchell conversion.

Rams got off the mark with Ross McKay setting-up Zach Clow with a lovely cross-field kick before adding the extras.

But four Sale scores in 11 minutes either side of half-time ultimately proved decisive.

Tom Walsh and Corbin Thunder struck before the break, Green and Freddie Reader over as their side moved 36-7 up.

Yet Rams suddenly clicked into gear as debutant duo Johnny Ireland (two) and Sam Stirling crossed following powerful attacking mauls.

Sale, however, shut down the fightback with a close-range Pete Vickers effort before Green completed his hat-trick.

Mitchell converted both to complete the scoring.

Seb began: “It was always going to be a tough game – we were blooding nine new guys against a side well-established at the level.

“Sale have got a lot of good players, and they were excellent early on.

“There were swing moments where I thought we could come back into it – it was 12-7 just before half-time and then they got four tries either side of the break.

“At that point (36-7 behind) the lads had a decision to make. Either you front up and put on a display for the crowd, or you let it slip.

“Thankfully they fought 100 per cent and I thought we were a bit unlucky to concede 50 at the end.”

After cutting the gap to 36-22 Rams shot themselves in the foot with a couple of penalties leading to Vickers’ score.

‘Massive achievement for Theo’

And Seb said: “We were coming back into it but at that moment, credit to Sale, they were very clinical.

“Our discipline slipped in the middle third a couple of times and we didn’t quite control the aerial contest the way we wanted.

“They won all their line-outs during the afternoon, got the maul rumbling and we didn’t defend it well enough which gave the penalty and then territory.

“They sealed the game there. We need to learn the feeling of momentum and pressure as a group, but we’ll get there.”

One highlight in front of a crowd of 723 was former Mini Theo Pett-Ridge debuting off the bench.

Seb ended: “It’s a massive achievement. We play in the top one per cent of English rugby, it’s an incredibly hard level and for Theo to come through from the age of six is fantastic.”

Rams travel to Dings Crusaders on Saturday (3pm).