SEB Reynolds paid tribute to Bishop's Stortford after seeing his side lose 21-11 in their National One clash on Saturday.

On a wet and windy afternoon, the visitors were outgunned by two tries to one, with Stortford kicker Brad Burr also adding 11 points compared to Louis Ellis' eight.

And Reynolds admitted: “We weren’t quite at our best and we didn’t take our chances, and when that happens at National One you simply don’t win games.

"But it was great to play Bishop’s Stortford again and they deserved their victory, especially after their outstanding second try.

“They are very similar to us in that they are a community club with a very big youth section, and the fact that they have done well in National One is inspiring for all community-based clubs."

A back-and-forth opening 40 minutes ended with the hosts leading 6-0 thanks to a brace of Burr penalties, with both sides exceptional in defence.

Rams cut the gap just three minutes into the second period through an Ellis penalty, but some sharp handling from Stortford then set up No. 8 Baxter Wilson to go over in the corner for the first try of the afternoon.

Another Ellis penalty reduced the deficit to 11-6 on 51 minutes, but the home side delivered a fatal blow with a brilliant second try as the game entered its final 10 minutes.

Josh Stannard collected the ball in his own half and the wing sped down the touchline before slipping the ball inside to centre James Ayrton who had a clear sprint to the line.

Burr converted to make it 18-6, but Rams rallied superbly, grabbing a try when scrum-half Jack Moates opened-up space on his right for wing Connor Corrigan to touch-down in the corner, Ellis hitting the upright in a valiant attempt to convert from out wide.

And Bishop's Stortford inflicted further pain with just two minutes remaining, a superb Burr drop-goal denying Rams a losing bonus-point.

Rams are at home to Cinderford this coming Saturday (2pm), and Reynolds is looking forward to trying to get back to winning ways.

He said: "We’ve had some fantastic battles against Cinderford in the past. They represent everything that is good about rugby, they are fiercely competitive on the pitch and generously friendly off of it, whether they have won or lost."