RAMS moved four points clear at the top of National Two South after producing another outstanding display to thrash Guernsey 48-14 at Old Bath Road on Saturday.

The home side made a dream start as they ran in two tries inside the opening 10 minutes, man-of-the-match Andrew Denham and full back Joe Duffelen the try scorers.

There was no let-up during an opening 40 minutes which showcased Rams at their best, a third try arriving in the 17th minute as Jamie Guttridge dotted down at the back of a powerful driving maul.

The bonus-point was secured inside the opening quarter, a flowing move finished off by scrum-half Miles Lloyd as he crossed the whitewash underneath the posts. With the conversion added, Rams were 24-0 in front.

With Rams well on top, a powerful scrum five metres from the Guernsey line opened up the blind side for wing Jak Rossiter to go over, and Guttridge collected his second try of the half to send the hosts into the interval with a commanding 36-0 advantage.

There was no let-up after the break as Seb Reynolds’ men continued to show why they are undoubted title contenders, Denham completing his brace just three minutes into the second period.

The try-of-the-day came in the 50th minute when stalwart Andy Amor produced a moment of magic.

Making his first appearance of the season in his 27th year with the club, Amor showed why he is one of the most skilled products of Rams’ youth section when he transferred the ball with lightning speed to give blind-side flanker James Page a gift under the posts on what was also his first start of the season.

Following this try, however, Rams seemed to switch off, with the next 30 minutes belonging to the visitors.

They capitalised on a rare Rams’ mistake on the 59th minute to give No. 8 Matt Creber a score, and just three minutes later Malcolm Barnes grabbed another score for the Islanders. Full back Alex Gow converted both to cut the gap to 48-14.

Guernsey were now encouraged by the prospect of a four-try bonus point and assaulted the Rams’ line for the rest of the game, and were it not for the now trademark Rams’ stonewall defence, the work of defence coach Danny Batty, the away side may have flown home with an extra league point.

Commenting after the game, Reynolds said: “We were very good for the first 50 minutes of the game and then Guernsey showed why they have won their last two matches.

“There are no bad teams in this league, you slip from your best at your peril because you are instantaneously punished for it.”

Forwards coach Owen Root also paid tribute to the Islanders, saying: “We knew Guernsey have an organised pack and I asked the boys to stop their catch-and-drive in its tracks, which they did.

“I was also pleased that despite making lots of changes among the forwards, we delivered a good win against a very dangerous opposition.”

Rams host Tonbridge Juddian on Saturday (2.30pm).