A SENSATIONAL Rams’ performance saw the hosts stun second-placed Rotherham Titans in an against-all-odds 30-19 bonus-point victory at Old Bath Road.

Having gone into the game on their worst run of form for almost a decade, a perfect start gave the home side lift-off as the Berkshire men counter-attacked from their own 22 before a couple of fly-hacks ahead ended with Zach Clow dotting down in the second minute.

Things got better soon after as the lead was doubled when a clever line-out move saw Ben Atkins flick the ball back to captain Max Hayman to blast over from close range.

Rams were playing from everywhere and some stunning inter-play then saw James Baker send James McRae over the line, only for the ball to be held up.

But they did extend their advantage further early in the second quarter as brilliant carries from Jack Rampton and Axel Kalling-Smith sent Ollie Hodgson under the posts, Fraser Honey with the extras.

Rotherham rallied, though, and a super short-side score was finished by Travis Gordon from 40 metres.

The Yorkshiremen were beginning to use their significant size advantage to good effect, but some fabulous defence helped Rams initially stop a maul before they got under the ball across the whitewash.

Sam Boxhall’s introduction at half-time paid immediate dividends as the Royal Air Force scrum-half grounded a loose ball five minutes into the second period, Honey’s kick making it 24-5.

Rotherham then butchered a gilt-edged chance as wing Luckas Sableman-Blue knocked on unmarked just a couple of metres from the line, Rams pulling further clear as Honey’s penalty from halfway clipped the cross-bar before bouncing over.

Titans collected a second as a slick move ended with Curran Maguire cutting in from the right to touch down, Hayes on target before Honey landed another penalty.

The visitors kept coming, however, and gave themselves a glimpse of hope when Ronnie du Randt finished on the left following a period of sustained pressure.

Hayes landed another kick to reduce the deficit to 11 with eight minutes remaining, but roared on by a vocal crowd, Rams held their nerve before winning a scrum penalty on halfway – birthday boy Honey belting the ball into the stands to seal the deal.

Rams have a week off before travelling to champions-elect Richmond on Friday, April 4.

Final Score: Rams 30-12 Rotherham Titans (Half Time: 17-5)

Scorers

Rams

Tries: Clow 2, Hayman 14, Hodgson 23, Boxhall 45

Conversions: Honey 24, 46

Penalties: Honey 52, 64

Rotherham Titans

Tries: Gordon 31, Maguire 55, du Randt 73

Conversions: Hayes 56, 74

Star Man: Max Hayman (Rams)

Referee: Jamie Parr

Attendance: 803

Rams

(15-9, 1-8) Clow, Rampton, Radianirova, Pannese, Kalling-Smith, Honey, Hodgson; Kirk, Hayman ©, Baker, Dacres, Stapley, Stone, Atkins, McRae

Replacements: Harris, Barry, Duda, Lamb, Boxhall

Rotherham Titans

(15-9, 1-8) Townend, Sableman-Blue, Hayes, Cooke, Du Randt, Povey, Bruzulier; Capps (cc), Newborn, Foster, Poole (cc), Gilson-Fox, Okafor, Gordon, Bustin

Replacements: Kivalu, Toerien, Logavatu, Maguire, Tanumi