ZACH Clow scored his 50th Rams try as the visitors played out a dramatic 24-24 National One draw at Dings Crusaders.
An early chance for the Berkshire boys was thwarted by a deliberate knock-on from Harry Rowson, the centre sin-binned.
But it did not take long for the score to come, hooker Pete Austin burrowing over from close range.
Dings replied immediately, however, the visitors gifting field position with a high tackle in midfield.
A kick to the corner followed, and after a couple of phases, Sam Cantwell dived over.
The visitors lost prop Sam Stirling to injury midway through the first half, but impressive debutant scrum-half Matt Wickham then sent Clow across the whitewash for his milestone score.
Ross McKay defied a swirling wind to arrow the conversion through the uprights, but his side then shot themselves in the foot again.
Another penalty on halfway allowed Crusaders into their 22, and Will Thompson then powered under the sticks.
Louie Sinclair levelled matters, and Rams then suffered a further setback as Aaron Tull was forced off with a nasty-looking knock to the knee.
Yet the visitors nearly regained their lead as Ollie Stirling was held up over the line, only for Dings to hit the front with the final play of the opening period.
It was Sinclair who did the damage, throwing a dummy before gliding under the posts.
He missed the conversion, however, the wind blowing the ball off the tee before a drop-goal attempt missed left.
Visitors start second half strongly
And Rams equalised early in the second half, as Austin, lurking on the left wing, collected McKay’s cross-field kick before shrugging off a would-be defender with a fine finish.
The visitors then sealed their try bonus-point as skipper Willo Bicknell blasted through for a score added to by McKay.
Rams were temporarily reduced to 14 men when full-back Darren Atkins was harshly carded for a high tackle, yet despite fairly constant pressure, they survived.
Clow became the third injured Ram, teenager Arthur Garfield thrust into action on the wing.
And with 10 minutes remaining Dings levelled with Will Pap squeezing over before Sinclair added the extras.
The visitors nearly snatched glory at the death, Shay Sainsbury dotting down. But the score was chalked off for a double movement.
And Henry Kirwan then booted a long kick forward to leave Dings trapped on their own five-metre line.
But they maintained possession and ultimately cleared to touch before the final whistle.
It was Rams’ first league draw since a 12-12 stalemate with Tonbridge Juddians in National Two South, way back in Jaunary 2018.
Rams host Bishop’s Stortford next Saturday (3pm).
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