TOMEK Pozniak was at the double as Rams started 2025 with a hard-fought 26-17 home victory against Dings Crusaders, their scheduled game at Sale a week before postponed due to a frozen pitch.
The Polish ace bagged his brace inside six minutes as Seb Reynolds’ side flew out of the blocks, Fraser Honey converting the second before the game settled into a grind.
A Jamie Elswood penalty got Dings on the board on the stroke of half-time, but a fabulous home team try was finished by Zach Clow as Rams moved 19-3 in front early in the second period.
Crusaders stayed in the contest via a converted Nick English effort, only for Axel Kalling-Smith to cruise over following some sublime work from man-of-the-match Ollie Cole.
Honey was again on target, and while Matt Lane grabbed a consolation seven-pointer for the visitors, Rams remained in second place in the table.
Lions tamed as Rams hit the top
Seven days later the Berkshire boys were back on top as Richmond’s defeat at Sale coupled by a 36-19 Rams’ triumph at Leicester Lions had supporters dreaming.
Things started badly, however, the hosts 12-0 up as Arthur Allen and Toby Cousins touched down, Luke Bouchier converting the former.
Honey added to a Jasper Spandler debut score before Zach Clow levelled matters before the break.
Tom Vooght’s try was converted by Honey, the stand-in skipper then nailing a long-range penalty for 22-12.
Yet a Liam Burrows’ seven-pointer set the cat well and truly among the pigeons before converted tries from teenager Oli Rhoads and scrum-half supreme Jake Murray finished the job.
