REDINGENSIANS Rams produced one of their best performances of the season to beat Clifton 41-26 in National Two South, writes Matt McCrory.

After their side were awarded an early scrum five metres from the Clifton line, the hosts’ front row of Jack Steadman, Ben Henderson and James Baker powered their pack to the first points of the game with a penalty try awarded at the end of an almighty shunt. Sam Guttridge added the extras.

The Bristolians levelled matters with a try from Andy Chesters, working off the momentum of a fast line-out and a quick penalty in Rams’ 22. Brad Barnes landed the conversion to briefly put the two teams on a level footing before Guttridge reasserted the hosts’ lead with a penalty in the following minutes.

Clifton battered away at the Rams’ defence and Malcolm Peacock had a try pulled back for a knock-on, but the hosts repelled their efforts.

Ross Crame, Jak Rossiter and Andy Amor put in stellar defensive efforts alongside the rest of the rest of Rams’ 15, and after a long period of Clifton’s dangerous attacks, the home side emerged without concession and pushed forward to widen their lead with James Baker scoring at the head of a rampant Rams pack.

After Greg Illingworth and Steven Bryant came within inches of scoring tries of their own, the Rams moved further in front when Robbie Stapley closed out a fantastic half with a try with the final play. Guttridge’s conversion made it 22-7 at the break.

The second half kicked off with Rams in the ascendancy, highlighted by a stellar run down the right-hand side by Conor Corrigan, Jak Rossiter and Miles Lloyd, who finished with a try.

Guttridge grabbed his third conversion of the day and, a few moments later, his fourth after Craig Nightingale stormed through Clifton’s ruck defence to collect a try of his own.

Clifton returned the favour a few moments later with Sam Harrison finding an easy gap to waltz through and a Barnes kick made for a 36-14 score 15 minutes into the second half.

Ollie Taylor and Corrigan were next to test Clifton’s defence, taking the ball from kick-off to the try line. This was pulled back for a forward pass and Rams instead remained in good territory until Henderson and Nightingale found perfect offloads to allow Rossiter to soar through for a try of his own. Clifton continued to provide valiant opposition and earned a try bonus point with a duo of scores; the first coming from Jack Pinker and converted by Barnes, the second by Finlay Sharpe.

Redingensians Rams face a tough trip to top-of-the-table Bishop’s Stortford this coming Saturday (3pm).