RAMS’ National One title hopes took a major blow as brilliant Bishop’s Stortford picked up a first win in nine games between the two sides as they triumphed 34-25 at Old Bath Road.

The hosts started superbly as a marauding break from inside his own 22 from James McRae gave Rams the field position to go through the phases, the No. 8 then freeing Rowan Grundy to dive over on the left.

Fraser Honey was unable to add the extras, and Stortford hit back in ominous fashion as hooker Isaac Bell rode a thunderous maul over from the 22.

Man-of-the-match Mike Cooke landed a fine conversion, and the fly-half repeated the trick after the set-piece again proved too strong, No. 8 Will Rogers this time the beneficiary.

Rams replied, though, placing the visitors under sufficient pressure to force a trio of yellow cards for David Hayes, Henry Peck and Cooke before Fraser Honey’s perfect cross-field kick was collected by Zach Clow to touch down.

Things got better for the home side soon after as a sublime Honey pass freed Clow down the right, his inside ball sending Andrew Lamb across the whitewash.

Yet despite their numerical disadvantage it was Stortford who led at the break, Tom Mills with a long-range penalty for 17-15.

Axel Kalling-Smith’s trademark brilliance put Rams back in front, the Sweden captain throwing a dummy before bursting through from 30 metres out, Honey with the extras, only for a Mills try wide on the left to level things at 22-22.

As the game continued to twist and turn Cooke then converted a Chris Smith score before Honey slotted a penalty, Rams now trailing by four points.

Cooke was off target with another penalty effort from distance, but with eight minutes remaining, the Stortford maul again got to work, Alex Rayment touching down to give his side breathing space.

And while Rams fought to the end, there were never able to truly fashion a clear chance as they slipped three points adrift of new leaders Richmond.

Rams visit Birmingham Moseley next Saturday (3pm).

Final Score: Rams 25–34 Bishop’s Stortford (Half Time: 15-17 )

Scorers

Rams

Tries: Grundy 4, Clow 29, Lamb 35, Kalling-Smith 41

Conversions: Honey 42

Penalty: Honey 53

Bishop’s Stortford

Tries: Bell 8, Rogers 13, Mills 44, Smith 49, Rayment 71

Conversions: Cooke 9, 14, 50

Penalty: Mills 40

Star Man: Mike Cooke (Bishop’s Stortford)

Referee: Ben Wood

Attendance: 753

Rams

(15-9, 1-8) Lamb, Clow, Radianirova, Grundy, Kalling-Smith, Honey ©, Cole; Marris, MacRae, Barry, Stone, Swain, Atkins, Vooght, McRae

Replacements: Harris, Baker, Duda, Pannese, Hodgson

Bishop’s Stortford

(15-9, 1-8) Hayes, Smith, Mills, Pope, Gilham, Cooke, Bolton; Hill, Bell, Peck, Ferguson, Kiff, Langworthy, Jones, Rogers ©

Replacements: Rayment, Smith, Johnson, Briers, Biard