MAN-OF-THE-MATCH Ollie Cole admitted Rams’ 26-17 National One home win against Dings Crusaders had once again been based on the league’s tightest defence.

Free-flowing Dings went into the contest with the joint third most try bonus-points in Level Three, but it took them until the final play of the opening half to get on the board, Jamie Elswood landing a penalty.

The kick reduced the deficit to 12-3 after Tomek Pozniak’s double inside the opening six minutes, and an early Zach Clow effort early in the second period extended the hosts’ control.

Crusaders did cross the whitewash midway through the third quarter when Nick English burrowed over, but some quick thinking from OC sent Axel Kalling-Smith over for Rams’ bonus score.

And while Dings grabbed a second try late on through Matt Lane, their opponents held on to stay hot on the heels of leaders Richmond.

Scrum-half Ollie revealed: “We had a huge focus in the week with Danny (Batty, defence coach), doing tackle technique and D on both Tuesday and Thursday because Dings play like Bristol Bears in the way they’ll go from anywhere – you have to concentrate for the full 80 minutes.

“We knew it was going to be tricky because they can really play, so it was all about building a score and trying to stay ahead of them, which we managed to do.

“It was a good performance.”

Having created Poz’s opener by going down the blindside, Ollie’s tap penalty five metres out led to Kalling-Smith’s try, with the No. 9 continuing: “I saw gaps a couple of times, I think they were probably getting a bit tired because it was a quick game, and luckily Axel was ready as soon as I tapped it for the easiest try he’ll ever score.”

With another strong crowd of 815 supporting their side to victory, OC was delighted to have the support of the Ramily again, though more concerned about having to play the full 80 minutes for the first time since October, 2022.

He joked: “It was bang out of order – where’s Jake Murray, bring him back!

“But it’s nice to be back after a month, my family was able to make it, so it was a good day all round.”