RELIVING LAST SEASON: NOVEMBER

WITH the first pre-season game at home to Aberavon less than three weeks away on Saturday, August 16, we continue our look back at what was another memorable National One campaign last time out.

Rams returned from a weekend off to record a ninth straight win with a 40-22 triumph at home to Sedgley Park.

The hosts started poorly and were 10-0 down after Warren Seals slotted a penalty and added to a Rhys Henderson try.

Fraser Honey was on target after Max Hayman crossed, but a converted Adam Mallinson effort pushed Tigers clear again.

A penalty try on the stroke of half-time reduced the arrears for Rams, but a brilliant Bertie Bradshaw effort put Sedgley 22-14 up early in the second period.

However, the hosts’ forwards power proved too much as the game progressed, Nile Dacres, Tom Vooght, Robbie Stapley and Ioan Emanuel all dotting down as Honey landed three more kicks.

Brilliant against Blackheath

Rams produced their best performance to date a week later as they downed Blackheath 33-14 at Old Bath Road.

After a pointless opening half-hour the Berkshire men grabbed a brace of quick-fire converted tries from Hayman and Zach Clow to lead 14-0 at the interval.

Club got on the board through Tom Everard and the boot of Tom Ffitch, but Stapley’s score made it 19-7.

A converted Noah Sloot try kept Blackheath in the contest, but seven-pointers from Morgan MacRae and Solodrau Radianirova sealed the deal.

The league leaders lost their perfect record the following week, however, going down 21-14 at Rotherham Titans.

Radianirova put his side in front before Honey added the extras, two Lloyd Hayes penalties cutting the gap before the break.

Titans hit the front when Hayes added to a Rob Povey try, Rams back in front thanks to James McRae and Honey.

A third Hayes penalty nudged his side back in front, though, and they completed the job with Aidan Shortall’s try.