MATCH REPORT: AXEL AT THE DOUBLE IN NARROW LOSS

RAMS were edged out 34-31 by Bishop’s Stortford in a 10-try National One thriller at Old Bath Road.

The visitors took a second-minute lead as some slick handling sent Tom Mills over in Clubhouse Corner.

And they moved further clear as despite a brilliant cover tackle from Ellis Jones, James Apperley crossed for a score added to by Dan Cole.

Rams got on the board as Max Marshall grounded from the back of a maul, but a Cole penalty made it 15-5.

The Hertfordshire side enjoyed more pressure towards the end of the opening period, but some strong home defence was followed by a stunning 60-metre break from second row Liam Saayman as Rams came close to cutting the gap.

Rams burst into life before yellow cards hit

The hosts started the second half superbly, however, as Axel Kalling-Smith finished a sweeping move, Ross McKay with the extras.

But Ben Atkins was then harshly sin-binned for an aerial challenge and Ioan Parry went over on the left for Stortford.

Rams, however, hit the front on the back of two quick-fire converted tries from Kalling-Smith and Ant Marris.

The former cut a beautiful line to scythe through next to the left-hand post, while Marris showed his power to burrow over.

The game swung the other way, though, as Marshall was sin-binned for a breakdown infringement.

It again appeared a tight call and a possible case of mistaken identity meant Rams had to re-jig their line-out – Atkins now throwing and Paddy Harris back on for scrum time.

Austin Pope put Stortford back in front following a sustained assault on the line, Cole slotting the conversion.

And in a key moment, Bishop’s were ruled not to have knocked on in their own 22, a booming kick and lost home line-out allowing Chris Bolton to break through before Mathis Dehauteur finished the job.

Another Cole kick gave Stortford a 34-26 advantage early in the final quarter.

And while James Baker blasted over from close range with five minutes remaining – his 51^st try for the club – it proved too little, too late as Stortford secured a fourth consecutive win against their opponents.

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Final Score: Rams 31–34 Bishop’s Stortford (Half Time: 5-15)

Scorers

Rams

Tries: Marshall 23, Kalling-Smith 41, 49, Marris 54, Baker 75

Conversions: McKay 42, 50, 55

Bishop’s Stortford

Tries: Mills 2, Apperley 19, Parry 45, Pope 60, Dehauteur 63

Conversions: Cole 61, 64

Penalty: Cole 26

Star Man: James Apperley (Bishop’s Stortford)

Referee: Callum Watson

Attendance: 652

Rams

(15-9, 1-8) Pett-Ridge, Tokura, Blee, Jones, Kalling-Smith, McKay, Wickham; Harris, Marshall, Baker, Saayman, Stirling, Atkins, Ireland, W Bicknell ©

Replacements: Wozniak, Marris, Duda, Garfield, Tokura