FORWARDS coach Owen Root believes Rams are benefitting from their excellent pre-season after they continued their wonderful start to the National Two South campaign with a 33-18 home win against Tonbridge Juddians, writes Richard Ashton.

The table-toppers made it seven bonus-point victories in eight matches to keep their four-point lead from second-placed Taunton Titans, but Root believes their success is down to work put in back through the summer.

Rams showed they could compete at a high level in their own pre-season tournament when they pushed National One side Esher close before taking third spot with victory against Old Albanians, ironically the only side to beat them in the league this term.

Seb Reynolds’ men then won away at Welsh Division One side Bridgend Athletic, and they have carried those impressive displays forward, with Root telling the Chronicle: “We had a great preparation and pre-season. It was very balanced, we had some great pre-season fixtures and the focus was on what we can control and what we manage and what we work on to get the outcomes we want.

“Seb and Dan (Batty) take responsibility for the attack and defence have a clear idea of the way we want to play and the philosophy around it and that’s been ingrained into the boys during the pre and early-season.

“We’ve got a great start, but we’ll keep looking on to the next few weeks without getting carried away.

“It’s important to stay grounded and keep working hard.”

Rams actually found themselves under early pressure against Tonbridge, the visitors starting well at Old Bath Road and moving into a 6-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes courtesy of a brace of Will Robinson penalties.

However, Rams’ trusted forwards power came to the rescue and they quickly took control, hooker Ben Henderson helping himself to two tries and the pack earning yet another penalty try from their relentless work.

And Root said he had faith in his side to turn things round, stating: “They started very strongly and got out the blocks first and put us under a lot of pressure, but the boys rallied round and went back to our gameplan and did what we asked them to do.

“We focused on our strengths and ability and that was pleasing. Throughout the game I had complete confidence that we were going to work our way back into it.

“The forwards are going fantastically well and we’re very, very lucky at the moment with the selection decisions. I’m happy with where we’re going, but we keep focusing on the next game.”

Juddians did hit back midway through the half when a fine break allowed Hugo Watson to cross for a converted score, but Rams hit back on the stroke of half-time with the try-of-the-game, flanker James Page crashing over following some intricate hands which most notably included a superb off-load from impressive centre Ellis Jones.

The visitors again started the second half brightly, but after a heroic defensive effort had kept them at bay for the opening 10 minutes, a mis-pass allowed Rob White to go over in the corner to cut the deficit to eight points.

However, Rams again regrouped and scored their fifth try of the afternoon when wing Jak Rossiter was set free by quick hands from the ever-industrious Andy Amor, dotting down in the right before Alex Seers landed a fine conversion.

And while that score capped another excellent win for Rams, Root has his feet still firmly on the ground.

He said: “It’s been a really positive start. The boys have been working really, really hard to integrate some stuff we’ve been saying into the game and we’re starting to see the rewards from that.

“We’re certainly not looking to get ahead of ourselves despite a positive start – week in week out we’re trying to improve the performance, focus and effort.

“We’re looking for the perfect performance and whether it’s just before half-time of just after, we’re always working to be at our best all through the game.”

Rams will seek another win when they face a trip to Bristol-based strugglers Old Redcliffians on Saturday, and Root is eager to ensure his side do not fall victim to a potential banana skin on their travels.

He concluded: “It’s a tough place to go, if the conditions get wet will suit them and there’s a decent hill there so it will be a question of who manages those situations best and the game as a whole. That team will prove superior.

"Hopefully we can keep our boys fit and keep working in training and go down there full of energy with a gameplan to get the right result.”