MATCH REPORT: HAYMAN HAT-TRICK LEADS RAMS TO WIN

MAX Hayman’s hat-trick helped Rams return to winning ways with a helter-skelter 45-25 home triumph against Clifton.

Slow starters in recent weeks, the hosts began brightly with Oli Rhoads powering down the left before his superb inside ball sent Zach Clow over the line.

Mike Cooke added the extras, and Rams were 12-0 up inside a quarter-of-an-hour following a superb try.

Their continuity game was in gull flow with a series of powerful carries and sumptuous off-loads, centurion Ellis Jones stopped just short before Axel Kalling-Smith touched down in Clubhouse Corner.

Clifton, however, got themselves on the scoreboard with their first real entry to the hosts’ 22, Ollie Stirling eventually breaching the defence following a series of phases close to the line.

James McKinney reduced the deficit to five points, Rams suffering a further setback as Mikey Duda was forced off with a leg injury, Aaron Tull the replacement.

Rams, though, regained the initiative as captain Hayman mauled his way over.

A breakdown penalty in front of the posts allowed McKinney to trim the lead again, but the hosts secured their bonus-point with the final play of the first half.

And it was Hayman who did the job, the set-piece again firing before Cooke slotted a fine kick for 24-10 at the break.

Clifton click at start of second period

The visitors, however, came flying out the traps at the start of the second period, a stunning kick from flanker Stirling giving Clifton field position before Zak Hamid touched down on the right.

The game was then well and truly alive as centre Harry Johnson blasted over from close range, McKinney with a simple conversion.

And the fly-half then stroked over another breakdown penalty for a one-point lead at the start of the final quarter.

Rams rallied, though, Hayman completing his treble from another set-piece, Cooke’s stunning touchline conversion making it 31-25 with 13 minutes remaining.

With the crowd re-engaged, the hosts came on strong, man-of-the-match Tull with a scarcely believable offload before Hayman blasted a hole in the visitors’ defence.

Rams then patiently built near the line before Harry Stone glided over.

The conversion was added before Clow doubled his tally with the final play, the full-back taking a quick tap penalty before diving over.

Cooke slotted another excellent kick to add further gloss to the scoreline and keep Rams’ play-off hopes alive.

The Berkshire side head to third-placed Blackheath next Saturday (3pm).