SEB Reynolds was pleased with some of his young guns despite Rams falling to a second National One defeat of the season in a 22-17 reverse at Blackheath.

The visitors gave a debut to 20-year-old fly-half Louis Ellis and also had to bring fellow youngster Connor Hayhow on early after Ellis Jones was injured.

Reflecting on the defeat, Reynolds commented: “Connor did a great job and Louis showed what a good player he is – he had a lot of nerve slotting a penalty to give us a bonus-point with the last kick of the game. I was really pleased with Louis and he is one of a number of exciting young players we have in our squad at the moment."

It was Blackheath who had started brighter of the sides as they took a third-minute lead when Jack Daly went over at the back of a rolling maul and Mark Cooke added the extras.

However, Rams hit back with a penalty try to make it 7-7, only for Blackheath wing Craig Dowsett to score a stunning try which Cooke again converted.

The game was level by the interval, though, with Rams prop James Baker breaking off a maul to power over, Ellis landing a fine conversion.

Cooke's 45th-minute penalty put the hosts 17-14 to the good, and despite Rams placing their opponents under sustained pressure, they were unable to add to their points tally.

Daly's second try looked like leaving the visitors without even a bonus-point, but Ellis landed a tough late penalty to reduce the margin of defeat to five.

Reflecting on the game, Reynolds said: “We weren’t at our best, but in fairness I don’t think Blackheath were either. There were lots of mistakes from both sides and the game could have gone either way."

Rams are on the road again this Saturday when they visit Bishop’s Stortford.