RAMS slipped to an agonising 25-22 defeat as Leeds Tykes produced a rollicking second-half comeback to take the honours at The Sycamores.
The visitors made a dream start and took the lead in the opening minute as 19-year-old wing Charlie Robson scored with his first touch in National One, receiving the ball some 30 metres out following a brilliant Steffan James break before showing his terrific speed to touch down on the right.
Drew Humberstone landed an excellent touchline conversion, and things got even better for Rams shortly after as the outstanding Tom Vooght charged down an attempted clearing box kick and gathered the ball before running in on the left.
The conversion attempt drifted wide, and Leeds then responded as they gained strong field position with a rolling maul which was ultimately held up just short, only for second row Jake Brady to burrow over from close range.
{{{image.389270}}}
Charlie Venables added the extras, but Rams then took a strong grip on the game with two tries before the break.
Firstly, having won a couple of penalties in the Tykes’ 22, they kicked to the corner and powered over with a maul, hooker Max Hayman the beneficiary for his second try in as many weeks.
{{{image.389272}}}
The bonus-point was secured in somewhat bizarre fashion as a dominant scrum had Leeds retreating towards their own line, only for the ball to squirt out into midfield.
However, Connor Hayhow chipped the ball behind the line and dived on it for a score which made it 22-7 at the break, both attempted conversions drifting left of the uprights.
{{{image.389274}}}
Playing down the slope, Tykes came out flying and despite some good goal-line defence from the visitors, they eventually conceded a penalty in front of the posts which Venables kicked.
A magnificent break from Robson, who dashed 40 metres towards the line, was halted inside the Leeds’ 22 as the hosts breathed a sigh of relief, and they then clawed their way further into the game with a second try.
{{{image.389278}}}
Having pounded away at the Rams’ line, the ball came loose and was hacked downfield by Caolan Englefield, only for Tykes to regain it in their own 22 and go the length of the field before Xavier Valentine barged over after a number of phases.
Another close range try from Alex Pleasants levelled the scores, only for a magnificent Ollie Cole charge down to stop Venables’ straight-forward conversion going over.
{{{image.389280}}}
However, Leeds were not to be denied, and with the momentum behind them, were awarded a soft decision for a raised foot at a scrum in midfield.
They then won a penalty for not rolling away with a minute to play, and with Venables this time on target, took a lead which they saw out by claiming the restart and booting the ball out.
{{{image.389282}}}
By Richard Ashton
