MATCH REPORT: BLISTERING START HELPS RAMS COOKE LIONS

RAMS returned to winning ways with a spectacular 71-38 National One home triumph against Leicester Lions.

The victory was the highest scoring Level Three contest in the club’s history.

On a gorgeous afternoon at Old Bath Road the hosts raced out of the blocks, Morgan MacRae burrowing over from close range for a score added to by Mike Cooke.

The inside centre doubled his tally soon after, Ant Marris rampaging through in midfield during the build-up.

Cooke was again on target and he repeated the trick after Rams went from their own line with a brilliant try, Axel Kalling-Smith finishing the job.

The bonus-point was secured on 15 minutes as Cooke showed some nice footwork to jink over following man-of-the-match Aaron Tull’s initial thrust.

Leicester got on the board as Jake Sterland shrugged off a couple of tackles to touch down for a score converted by Theo Mannion.

But Rams replied ruthlessly, debutant Ryan Carr making a searing break through the middle before his perfect pass sent Zach Clow under the posts for the full back’s 13^th try of the campaign.

The extras were again added before Cooke made it six from six after Luke Graham returned a kick from 50 metres out.

Leading 42-7 early in the second quarter, the hosts looked like they could further run riot, but Lions showed admirable resilience to cut the gap before the break.

Lions launch brave fightback

Firstly some lovely interplay and a delicate Mannion kick was dotted down by Max Humphreys for a seven-pointer, Ollie Hodgson then sin-binned for the hosts after a breakdown infringement.

Leicester made their numerical advantage pay as Fin Ogden crossed, and the comeback gained further momentum when Diamond Ayiehfor went over five minutes into the second period.

Mannion’s simple kick made it 42-26, but the hosts again responded, Pete Austin riding a maul over in Clubhouse Corner.

Hodgson then made up for his earlier sin with a first try of the season following brilliant work from MacRae and captain Willo Bicknell.

Lions refused to be cowed however, replacement Brad McKenna with a quickfire double – the first an individual special – with Mannion twice on target for 52-38.

Teenager Carr grabs debut try

Any fears of a complete implosion were snuffed out as Colt Carr went over on the left, Cooke then gliding under the posts two minutes later.

And there was still time for Bicknell to add a further gloss to the scoreline with the final play, Cooke’s conversion helping the fly-half tally 26 points in a fine display.

Rams have two weeks off before facing the daunting trip to table-toppers Rotherham Titans on April 11.