RAMS suffered a fourth consecutive National One defeat as a lack of discipline proved costly in a 47-33 home reverse to Plymouth Albion – the visitors continuing their sensational form with a ninth win on the spin.

In a sign of things to come, Rams conceded a couple of needless early penalties which were slotted by Tom Putt for a 6-0 advantage.

However, the hosts roused themselves and grabbed the first try of the afternoon, some superb work from the outstanding Axel Kalling-Smith seeing the wing somehow stay in touch before an inside ball sent Zach Clow across the whitewash.

Putt was off target from 40 metres, but after Ben Atkins was sin-binned for a high tackle, Albion stretched their lead with a converted Harry Wilkinson maul try.

A second score for the visitors followed soon after, some lovely inter-play sending Jago Sheppard over next to the posts for a simple Putt kick and 20-5.

Yet Rams replied again, giving themselves hope firstly through a moment of magic from Kalling-Smith – the Sweden skipper flicking a loose ball up with his foot in midfield before brushing off a couple of would-be defenders to touch down.

Honey added the extras and repeated the trick after a powerful charge from debutant Kyle McGhie freed Solodrau Radianirova to make it a one-point game at the break – aided by a wonderful defensive stand from the hosts at the end of the opening 40 minutes.

Yet that was laid to ruins as Plymouth crossed twice in two minutes at the start of the second period – Jake Bond from a maul and Angus Hodges following a free-flowing move from the restart.

Two more Putt kicks made it 34-19, Kalling-Smith giving his side hope with a converted try in front of clubhouse corner.

Putt’s boot was in overdrive, though, and after slotting a third penalty, the full-back was on target after man-of-the-match Jack Oulton’s delightful inside-ball sent Shea Cornish over.

Another Putt three-pointer extended the lead, and while Max Hayman scored on his return to action for Rams, Honey converting, it was far too little, too late.

Rams travel to Sedgley Park next Saturday (2.30pm).

Final Score: Rams 33–47 Plymouth Albion (Half Time: 19-20)

Scorers

Rams

Tries: Clow 10, Kalling-Smith 26, 51, Radianirova 35, Hayman 77

Conversions: Honey 26, 36, 52, 78

Plymouth Albion

Tries: Wilkinson 20, Sheppard 24, Bond 43, Hodges 44, Cornish 61

Conversions: Putt 21, 25, 44, 45, 62

Penalties: 3, 7, 61, 70

Star Man: Jack Oulton (Plymouth Albion)

Referee: Henry Pearson

Attendance: 973

Rams

(15-9, 1-8) Clow, Kalling-Smith, Radianirova, Grundy, Pozniak, Honey, McGhie; Harris, Hayman ©, Dacres, Swain, Stone, Duda, Atkins
Replacements: Marris, Barry, McRae, Pannese, Boxhall

Plymouth Albion

(15-9, 1-8) Putt, Cornish, Akinrowo, Hill, Wigginton, Legg, Oulton ©; Burger, Wilkinson, Pullinger, Broadhurst, Clemson, Sheppard, Clarke, Hodges

Replacements: Mead, Boughton, Bond, Stone, Dart