CENTURION Ant Marris admitted a refreshed Rams squad helped push him to reach a 100th cap as Rams defeated Leeds Tykes 19-7 on Saturday.
The long-serving loose-head prop suffered a potentially career-ending dislocated elbow against Plymouth Albion last February, but having performed a sensational recovery, reached a ton of first-team appearances at The Sycamores.
Moreover, joined by his long-term destructive partner James Baker and the next generation, Paddy Harris and Ryan Lomas, the Rams scrum was a major player in sealing a fourth success in five National One games.
Having finally reached three figures, Marris remarked: “I enjoyed it – there was a lot of scrummaging.
“We managed to get some dominance early on – I was a bit disappointed to have to come off but Paddy and Ryan did their thing – and when James and I returned the last plays were enjoyable to help get the result.”
Rams dominated the opening half-hour but only had a converted Morgan MacRae try to show for their efforts at the break, Ben Dixon and Ed Crossland levelling matters 7-7 early in the second half.
Tykes had Eddie Brown sin-binned in the first half and then suffered three more in six manic minutes as Tom Collins, Aarin Yorke and Will Dennis were carded, Zach Clow and Max Hayman touching down in the 72nd and 75th minutes to push their side in front.
Mike Cooke converted the latter, but despite Will Yates becoming the fifth home player to see yellow, Rams could not secure the try bonus-point.
Reflecting on a hard-fought tussle, the front row continued: “It was very windy and fair play to Cookey, he didn’t miss any kicks to touch.
“He also got two conversions over which if Leeds had scored again, that could have been the difference.
“A shout-out to Harry Stone as well. It was his first week calling the line-out and with weather like we had you’ve got to have a bit of variety – he did it very well all game.
“Well done to all the boys for sticking at it and sealing the win.”
Having reached his ton, Marris looked back and ahead as he ended: “Things have gone almost full circle.
“When I joined we were playing this expansive brand of rugby, trying to keep the ball alive – the try against Henley stands out – and after playing a bit more conservatively we’ve gone back to it this season.
“It’s given me a boost and these young lads are just pushing us every week.
“I’ve just got to make sure I stay on top of what I’m good at and hopefully pass a bit of that on to the next ones.”
