Rams Repel Gallant Raiders

Rams kicked-off the New Year with a decisive bonus point win against mid-table Worthing.

Match Report by G Reynolds
Photos courtesy of Paul Clark S2S Photography

Rams kicked-off the New Year with a decisive bonus point win against mid-table Worthing, which is in stark contrast to the post-Christmas fixtures of previous seasons. New Year’s resolutions have been delivered!
Three tries in the first 20 minutes, two from Tom Vooght and one from Colin Thomson, gave the home side a 15-0 advantage and a strong platform from which to build. But a young Raider’s team fought to the bitter end to close the final points gap to just 13 after Matt McLean scored the Sussex men’s 4th try on the 80th minute and secured a much-deserved bonus point.
The Rams pack were dominant in the set piece with their now trademark aggressive scrummaging and driving line-outs providing a base from which they could dominate.
An injury-stricken Worthing with key players missing were further depleted when head injuries to props Michael Dingle and Hameed Ajaye reduced the scrums to non-contested on the 56th minute. As the game moved into the 4th quarter, yellow cards for Connor Stapley and Josh Collis reduced the Rams to 13, and an invigorated and always dangerous Raider’s attack took full advantage with Matt McLean and Matt Walsh demonstrating why they are one of the most dangerous half-back combinations in National II.

After the game, Head Coach, Seb Reynolds, had praise for his squad “…we have immense respect for the way that Worthing play and we know that their backs can hit you from anywhere on the pitch, so although there are things that we still want to work on, I am pleased that we started 2018 with a 5 point home win”.

Rams entertain title chasing Chinnor this Saturday, 13th January at OBR. Kick off 2pm.