A VALIANT defensive effort from a much-changed and youthful Rams side ultimately proved in vain as Caldy ran out 20-3 winners in their National One clash at Paton Field.
With the wind at their backs and playing downhill, Rams made a bright start but suffered an early setback when Jak Rossiter was forced off following an HIA, forcing a reshuffle which saw debutant Axel Kalling-Smith switch to inside centre, replacement Stevie Bryant to outside, first-time starter Will Janes to the wing and Drew Humberstone to full-back.
The first opportunity went to the hosts, but Ben Jones’ attempted effort from the 15-metre line on the left was pulled wide of the uprights.
Caldy continued to attack, though, and they twice broke through in midfield, only for the impressive Kalling-Smith to intercept inside his own 22.
However, the hosts did take a deserved lead midway through the half when Jones slotted a penalty earned at the scrum,
Yet Rams rallied towards the end of the first period and levelled matters with a Humberstone penalty after Caldy infringed when trying to get a box kick away from their own 22.
The visitors came out flying after the break and tore into the opposition, Kalling-Smith, the excellent Max Hayman and Ross Crame among those to punch holes in midfield.
However, as the rain became increasingly heavier, handling errors inevitably came in and a couple of fumbles enabled Caldy to clear their lines.
And from 50 minutes onwards, Rams were barely able to exit their half as the hosts’ experience and forwards’ control began to tell.
Yet an unbelievable defensive effort repeatedly repelled the home side, with Rams firstly holding Caldy up over the line before they forced a knock-on as a try looked almost inevitable.
However, the visitors posted their first try when they kicked to the corner and an overthrown line-out was hoovered up by Jack Parker, the prop barrelling over on the left.
Jones landed a brilliant conversion and then pushed his side further in front with a penalty enforced after Rams failed to roll away at the breakdown.
With the pitch churning up and Rams behind the eight ball, they were forced to try to play from deep, but Caldy maintained their vice-like grip on the contest and grabbed a second try with the final play of the
game when JJ Sanders went over from close range following a series of efforts.
Jones added the extras before the final whistle was blown, also ending Rams’ 152-match streak of scoring a try which dated back to a National Two South loss at Taunton way back in September, 2015.
