In an even opening salvo, the visitors had a chance to open the scoring from a five-metre maul, only for Tigers to force a turnover and go down the other end of the pitch for debutant Zane Ainslie to cross.
Josh Ree added the extras and then swiftly landed a penalty after Rams infringed at the breakdown, but the Berkshire men got on the board after earning a penalty try following a series of dominant close-range scrums.
Hayman opens seasonal account
A second Ree three-pointer pushed the hosts further clear, only for their opponents to again showcase their pack power, captain Max Hayman cutting a fine line to barge over after a maul had been stopped just short.
Sedgley rallied with a spell of pressure towards the end of the opening half, but having repelled their efforts Rams made a dream start to the second period.
Impressive debutant No. 8 Willo Bicknell got his side on the front foot with a powerful charge, and after Ellis Jones put through a perfectly weighted grubber kick, Axel Kalling-Smith was on hand to dot down in the left-hand corner.
Tigers hit back
Sedgley replied swiftly, however, their visitors doing well to repel a maul before Lewis Bradley somehow contorted himself over the line from close range for a one-point lead on 50 minutes.
Rams were forced into a reshuffle when Connor Stapley was forced off injured, Morgan MacRae switching from inside centre to the back row, Bicknell moving into the engine room as Andrew Lamb entered at full-back.
Chances were few and far between during the final half-hour, both defences standing firm until the dramatic ending.
Sensational finish
And it was last season’s top try-scorer Clow who made the decisive intervention, some nice handling freeing space out wide before Lamb’s pass sent his fellow back three man over the whitewash.
Mike Cooke slotted a brilliant touchline conversion to add a further gloss to the scoreline, the full-time whistle blown as soon as the ball bisected the uprights.
Rams host Dings Crusaders in their first home game next Saturday (3pm). For tickets, click here
