JACK Rampton grabbed his first Rams try, but it was not enough for the visitors as they went down 47-24 under the Friday Night Lights at new National One champions Richmond.
Things began well for the Berkshire men as a catch-and-drive line-out was finished by the evergreen James Baker – his 49th career score – before Fraser Honey added the extras on his 50th appearance.
Richmond replied swiftly as prop Jimmy Litchfield powered over, Callum Grieve on target, but Rams regained the lead with a Honey penalty.
However, the hosts put their foot down and gained control as two converted maul tries from Will Goffey pushed them 21-10 up.
The bonus-point was added before the break as Harlequins loanee Lucas Schmid touched down, Grieve maintaining his perfect record to extend the advantage to 18 points.
Schmid doubled his tally midway through the third quarter, Grieve yet again slotting the kick, and the young flanker then completed a sensational hat-trick on the hour mark as the Londoners turned the screw.
Grieve made it six from six for 42-10, but Rams refused to give in and collected a second try of their own as Rampton crossed the whitewash.
Honey knocked over the kick, but any faint hope of an extraordinary late turnaround was dashed when Xavier Hastings scored for Richmond.
For the first time Grieve was unable to add to the try, but it mattered not for the table-toppers despite Ollie Hodgson claiming a late consolation for Rams – the scrum-half with his third try in as many games after another fine Rampton burst put his side on the front foot.
Honey banged over a third conversion, yet it was not enough to stop Richmond taking the title less than 24 hours later after Rotherham Titans were beaten at Blackheath.
Rams drop to sixth in the standings but remain in the hunt for a top-three finish as they host Rosslyn Park in their final home game of the season on Saturday (3pm).
