RAMS made an emphatic statement with an opening-day 44-15 drubbing of Canterbury in National Two South on Saturday.

The Old Bath Road side turned on the style by running in seven tries and producing a performance which suggests it will not be impossible to at least match last season’s best-ever third-placed finish.

It was the first time they have enjoyed victory on the opening day since reaching National Two, and head coach Seb Reynolds said: “I’m delighted with the performance.

“I was really pleased for the guys making their debuts – Alex Seers controlled the game really well and Andrew Humberstone was excellent in the centre.

“Andrew Denham was exceptional on the wing, so I’m really pleased for him.”

It was the away side who took the lead thanks to an Ollie Best penalty, but Rams hit back with their first try when Seers' clever kick was collected by Jak Rossiter to dot down.

The Rams pack then got to work with a trio of tries coming from the back of rolling mauls, Ben Henderson benefitting twice and Tom Vooght wrapping up the bonus-point and a 22-3 half-time lead.

There was no let-up in the second half as Steve Bryant crossed for a magnificent individual try on 45 minute, Seers converting to extend the lead to 29-3.

Canterbury had a moment to savour when Dan Smart crossed the whitewash for their first try of the season shortly after, but Rossiter then grabbed his second off the back of a wonderful floated pass from Seers.

Smart matched the Rams' wing's tally to cut the gap to 36-15 with Best's conversion, but Seers landed a long-range penalty before Conor Stapley bagged the last try of the game for the hosts, Seers again adding the extras.

Rams dominated the last 10 minutes as the visitors had Steve Stapleton sin-binned, and will look to continue their good start at London Irish Wild Geese on Saturday.