REDINGENSIANS Rams lost their five-match National Two South winning run as they went down in a titanic battle with title-chasing Old Elthamians 20-7 at Old Bath Road, writes Matt McCrory.

Having lost their home game against Rams earlier in the season, Elthamians looked to make amends and Alex Brown made the first significant impact when he crossed at the five-minute mark, scoring in the left-hand corner after the visitors won a scrum against the head on the five-metre line.

Elthamians continued to dominate, but were held back by a sterling defence before Tom White’s penalty made it 8-0.

Rams came back into the game, yet they fell further behind from the final play of the half when Ollie Claxton dotted down. White’s conversion extended the advantage to 15-0.

The home side were quick to advance after the break, though, pushing Elthamians back into their own 22. Skipper Robbie Stapley put Rams’ first points on the board, driving a five-metre line-out to score in the left corner. Jordan Souter knocked over the extras on his kicking debut for the Reading team.

Both teams continued to battle away ferociously, with Ollie Foxley, Ben Henderson and Conor Corrigan all making attempts at the Elthamians try line. While on the defensive, Tom Vooght, James Baker and Steven Bryant ensured turnovers at tricky moments for the home team.

However, their hopes of a superb seasonal double were ended when George Messum finished a driving maul for the final try of the game.

A yellow card for the visitors’ Adam Preconin was not enough for Rams to score again as the third-placed Londoners held on.

Redingensians stay seventh in the table, and after a week off, travel to the side one place and four points below them in the league, Canterbury, on Saturday, March 25.