DIRECTOR of Rugby Seb Reynolds acknowledged there was ‘a lot of positive stuff’ from Rams’ opening 40-14 home pre-season victory against Clifton.
But he also admitted there is plenty of work to do ahead of the National One campaign.
The hosts led 7-0 at the interval thanks to a Harry Bicknell try and Ross McKay conversion, before a more experienced side pulled clear in the second period.
Skipper Willo Bicknell crossed before Tom Quinlan added to an Andy Thomas effort for the away side.
But a stunning solo score from debutant fly-half Darren Atkins was followed by Aaron Tull crossing wide left.
Atkins bounced the kick over off the cross-bar for 26-7, before Seb Burgess finished off a sublime team score.
Harry Leigh hit back for Clifton, but Theo Pett-Ridge’s interception effort and the boot of Atkins rounded out the scoring on a sweltering afternoon at Old Bath Road.
Commenting on an opening run-out for his new-look squad, the DoR began: “The first game is like an extended conditioning session, but you can’t mess around with rugby.
“I said to the boys beforehand there’s no such thing as a friendly, and you can’t ease into a game – and I thought they showed they understood that.
“We got to see where people are at individually and also whether the things we’ve been working on in pre-season came to light, and there was a lot of positive stuff.”
Two to catch the eye were summer fly-half recruits McKay and Atkins, with Reynolds continuing: “They were both excellent, but I thought Mike Cooke was also very good at full back.
“In the first 40 the half-back combination of (scrum-half) Matt Wickham and Ross was very good.
“Matt’s got a very nice balance to his game, he’s a confident individual whose led teams before and he understands the sport. It was a huge benefit to the side.
“Ross’ kicking was superb, the way he managed field position although sometimes we relieved it ourselves with poor discipline.
“And then Darren Atkins was Darren Atkins in the second half – he was outstanding.
“He squared his hips beautifully attacking the gainline, but also when he got a chance to counter he showed why he was a 15 at Bath the way he sliced through the middle.”
Despite what was ultimately a convincing victory, Rams conceded plenty of penalties, especially in the first half.
And the head coach confessed: “Discipline is definitely something to work on and something we have to improve from last season.
“We cannot afford to lose field position and allow teams to enter our 22 – we have to address it because otherwise it will be a death knell.
“But defensively I thought we were strong.
“We have to acknowledge right now Clifton are a National Two side and we’re Nat One – albeit they had played last weekend so they were maybe more conditioned to a match scenario.
“They’ve got some very strong back three players, extremely dangerous runners but I thought we worked well to generally keep them under control.
Our line-speed was excellent, but our tackle completion needs to get a bit better.
“The breakdown was good with some decent counter-rucks and slowing of the ball, but we’ll need to go to another level next week (at Aberavon).”
A strong crowd of some 500 enjoyed the August sunshine and an entertaining contest, with Reynolds paying tribute to the following.
He ended: “It was wonderful to see so many people – I think everyone’s missed rugby for the past four months!
“Full credit to everyone at the club – we’ve got so many brilliant people who help put this on.
“It was a great atmosphere to play in and it was wonderful to welcome everyone back.”
Report by Richard Ashton
