DIRECTOR of Rugby Seb Reynolds paid tribute to Old Elthamians after Rams picked up a fine 31-15 bonus-point win in their National One game on Saturday.
It was the home side who took a fourth-minute lead courtesy of a Hilton Gibbons penalty, but Rams hit back in their usual powerful style and a trademark driving maul resulted in a penalty try.
The visitors extended their lead on 21 minutes when a superbly judged kick from full-back Will Partington gave scrum-half Ollie Cole the opportunity to pounce on the ball for his side’s second try of the afternoon.
Fly-half Alex Seers was unable to add the extras, but Rams led 12-5.
Reynolds' side continued to pound the Elthamians' line, but it was the home side who scored the final points of the first half when skipper Hamish Barton finished a move started from a penetrating run from the outstanding Dominic McGeekie.
Gibbons was on target with the conversion and gap was cut to 12-10 at the interval.
However, the second half belonged to the men from Reading.
Top try scorer Jak Rossiter dotted down in the 42nd minute and Seers added the extras, albeit OEs prop Austin Hay finished the home team’s best passage of play when he crashed over after multiple phases.
The accurate Gibbons was on target with the conversion to leave it tensely poised at 19-15, but the London team couldn’t halt the Rams pack which was in the ascendency for the last quarter.
Man-of-the-match Tom Vooght crossed in the 64th minute and Connor Hayhow stretched over in the dying seconds as the big centre shrugged off two tacklers to dot-down in the corner.
Reynolds was pleased with his sides performance and said: “Fair play to OEs, they’ve had a lot of disruption in the past couple of months after losing their main sponsor, but (Director of Rugby) Gavin (Latch) has done a good job bringing some youngsters through.
"They got a great result last week and they played well against us, so I am delighted we responded to the challenge and got a win."
Rams travel to Cinderford for their rearranged game this Saturday, and Reynolds warned: “The Forest of Dean is passionate about the game and Cinderford are a powerful side who show off all the best traditions of Gloucestershire rugby.
"Not many sides win there, so we will have to be at our best to get anything from the match."
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