Match Report by Adam Moffatt:
The Rams 13/14s travelled down to Dunfermline, who had divided their squad into 2 teams Blues and Whites.
The Rams started with a game against the Blues, this was a first for the season as the Rams went into a game with just our own players, 13 a side is a huge achievement for a team that started the season with 9.
The game started with Blues on attack, as the feeling of the usual Rams slow start was brewing but not this week. No this week the boys stood up, put in a great defensive set before forcing a turn over. With the ball in hand the Rams worked their way up the pitch. Some great carries by Charles, Fergus and Cameron with the other forwards hitting rucks with avengence. Captain Oscar scampered in for the first try, knocking over the conversions himself.
The Rams kept their intensity, high with hard carries and physical defence. The midfield of Jack and Hamish were shutting things down with Harris on the wing showing real improvement and defence.
Arran was next to score adding himself into the line from fullback to cross.
The Rams forwards and defence were dominating the game. Jock and Fergus picking and going around the edge and making good ground. Will and Lochy showing their skills with some slick offloading. Charles flying about smashing anything that moved and Cameron knocking boys over in the carry.
Ben playing in a new position at 9 kept the play moving exceptionally well from the base as Oscar bossed the play.
Cameron was next to power over from 5m out, leaving the defenders no chance. Oscar converting.
Dunfermline Blues never gave up and were hitting back and making good ground. They made 2 line breaks but Arran playing his first game at 15 pulled out 2 try saving tackles.
The Blues did score next with a great run down the wing by their fast centre.
Halftime.
19-7
It was an easy half time for the coaches and the boys were playing really well and were able to identify their own work-ons.
The Rams started the second half well keeping the intensity up and putting the Blues on the back foot. Arran was next to score rounding off a strong carry by Jack and some good offloading to nip over.
The work by the forwards in tight was opening more space up for the backs. Half backs Ben and Oscsr were like a well oiled machine keeping the playing moving and team going forward. Hamish was getting himself into the game with some strong carrying with Ryan and Harris working hard in the wings to stay in support.
Hamish strong rubbing brought the next try as he stepped in side on a hard line and accelerated over. Oscar converting.
Will almost nabbed the try of the day as he shot out the line on halfway, got a hand to the intercept, juggled and was a finger tip away from running it in.
Hamish was next to power again with there being no answer to his running lines.
However it was the Blues who finished the scoring with their speedy centre scoring again.
14-38 Rams.
This was a great game by all involved. Oscar and Ben showing control from half back, Oscar, Hamish, Jack shutting down the midfield with Arran chopping anyone who did break the line. The forwards to a man were outstanding, but it was great to see both Jock and Fergus pull off great pick and go's that we have been working on.
After a brief rest the boys were back on against the Whites.
This game was played 15 on 15 with Dunfermline supplying a few extra bodies. Their players were a credit to their club giving absolutely everything to help the Rams.
This was a much more physical game with boys teams very well matched.
Whites took an early 2 try lead with their powerful midfield making a big difference.
12-0
In weeks gone past the Rams heads may have dropped but not this week. Some stern words by key leaders Oscar, Will and Lochy got them back on track.
Oscar pulled one back, converting himself
Half time 12-7
Some good defence and hard carrying back Charles pushed the Rams up the pitch. For a scrum 10m out, Oscar pulled blind hitting Jack on a short line to dive over. Oscar converting.
The powerful Whites midfield did the damage again breaking from deep and running in.
19-14
With a few minutes left their was one try in it.
The Rams showed great character to push back upfield, Lochy showing his fitness to keep going, with Will never far away. Jock and Fergus hitting ruck after ruck.
The Rams got into the 22m and showed great composure to keep recycling only to be met by great defence. Finally Will took a pop and squeezed over. Oscar kicking the conversions to give Blair the lead for the first time.
With 1 minute to play it was all or nothing for the Rams.
The Whites threw everything at the Rams and found themselves 5m from the Blair line on the last play. Hearts in mouths for everyone watching but the Rams just kept getting off the line and making tackles, Oscar sticking his head into every ruck tying to get that winning turnover. As Whites went wide and Harris and Ben blitzed up forcing a handling error. Oscar was again there and when the refs whistle blew it was a second win of the day.
19-21 Rams.
2 wins from 2 was well earned.
After the Hillfoots game some honest words were had and the group challenged each other to put the effort into training and make improvements. Today we saw all of that and it was great.
The ruck and contact work Jordan has been leading was vital today and as always Alex's focus on skills and offloading brought the tries.
Great day to be a Ram.
Dunfermline away Player Review
1. Lochy - put in a massive defensive shift today. Didn't see the miracle offload this week but put himself well.
2. Will - ran about like a mini (maybe life sized), Johnny Matthews. Teams underestimate his skills set and handling skills.
3. Fergus - Definition of a work horse, spent his day hitting rucks, making taking and carrying in close. Never stopped working.
4. Jock - was right up there with Fergus in terms of grafting for the team. Couple of good pick and go's.
5. Cameron - we all know he can carry and boy did he carry. Is adding more to his game every week and working really hard.
8. Charles - offt he just runs around banging people. So much that the opposition didn't want the ball. Some big carries today too.
9. Ben - first game at scrumhalf and was vital in the way the team played getting the ball away and allowing us to play. A real stand out today.
10. Oscar - Rams very own Dupont, did everything today taking running jackals but was really impressive in how he brought others into the game. Goal kicking was vital in the second game.
11. Ryan - never stopped running all game, working hard to support his team in an unfamiliar position. Much happier back in the forwards for second game.
12. Hamish - part of a vital defensive effort and some powerful carrying in both games
13. Jack - it seemed like Jack and Hamish were pushing each other on as they both made tackle and after tackle and powerful with ball in hand.
14. Harris - some good opportunities with ball in hand. But was really impressive in defence this week.
15. Arran - a revelation this week. Playing full-back for the first time and with only a few minutes prep he pulled off several try saving tackles.