A slow start and self-inflicted mistakes cost Rams Development in a 48-26 loss at Cambridge University.

Early indiscipline proved costly as a succession of penalties eventually allowed home hooker Will Kennedy to maul over.

Their opponents responded well before shooting themselves in the foot, however.

Rams overthrew a line-out in Cambridge territory, only for the hosts to ruthlessly counter-attack with a converted try by captain Nate Bottomley.

The fly-half then provided a somewhat fortunate assist almost immediately.

Meaden shows gas with long-range brace

His speculative kick into midfield bounced perfectly for rapid full-back Will Meaden to collect and he raced over from 40 metres out.

Bottomley added the extras, and another set-piece from the visitors then saw them lose an attacking-line out on their opponents’ 22.

Cambridge were ruthless, Meaden again showing serious gas to race away from 70 metres out for a brilliant quickfire double.

Rams were at least dominating some of the physical collisions, but they fell further behind when excellent flanker Sam Worne blasted over from close range.

Rams hit back before the break

The Berkshire me eventually got off the mark, and gave themselves hope, before the interval.

Loose-head prop Max Marshall firstly burrowed over from a couple of metres out, before George Tomlinson slotted the conversion.

Home blind-side Alex Nimmo was then sin-binned for a cynical infringement near his line, Rams piling the pressure on.

And Marshall and Tomlinson completed their double-act to reduce the gap to 29-14 at half-time.

Similar to the first-team at Tonbridge Juddians on Saturday, the Dev XV needed a fast start after the break.

Double blow after break

Sadly déjà vu arrived, Dan Swain initially yellow carded before a freak try extended the students’ lead.

Rams actually stole a five-metre line-out, but Arthur Garfield’s clearance kick was charged down, and somehow stayed in play, before replacement prop simply fell on the ball over the line.

Bottomley smashed home a superb touch-line conversion, but his side were again reduced to 14 for stopping Garfield tap-and-going in a dangerous position.

It was only a brief respite for the hosts, though, substitute scrum-half Jack Mapletoft sniping over from close range, Tomlinson on target.

Yet another lost line-out, this time in the visitors’ 22, served up a second for Worne, the conversion making it 43-21.

And almost immediately they added the try of the night, Bottomley collecting his own chip before a stunning off-load sent Jordan Scott-Brown over the line.

Rams claimed a late consolation as Harry Bicknell mauled over.

The Development XV next host Army Under 23s on Wednesday, November 4 (7.30pm).