DIRECTOR of Rugby Seb Reynolds was pleased with the way his side executed their plans in the 31-3 Friday Night Lights home victory against Esher.
Rams snapped their three-game National One losing streak with a convincing success, overcoming an early Sam Morley penalty with first-half tries from Axel Kalling-Smith – whose second was a sublime solo effort – and Ben Atkins.
With Fraser Honey’s conversion making it 17-3 at the break, Rams were unable to fully cut loose in the second period, though a brilliant late Rowan Grundy effort secured the bonus point before the pack earned a second penalty try of the campaign with a barrage of dominant injury-time scrums.
And Reynolds began: “I enjoyed watching the game, it was a good contest. We were up against a dangerous side – we’d seen the way they play getting Sam Morley and Ed Volley on the ball in midfield, but our guys executed the plans we came up with very well.
“It was a slightly heavy pitch which wasn’t a bad thing for us, and I know the defence coach will be pleased with only conceding three points early on and then nothing more – it should send him into Christmas happier than he was last week!”
Rams’ victory was not without disruption, a nervy opening 20 minutes featuring various spilled balls and soft penalties, while hooker Morgan MacRae was forced off on the half-hour mark meaning replacement prop Paddy Harris took over with Atkins throwing into the line-out.
The head coach continued: “I thought Paddy did a great job scrummaging at hooker, and while we lost a little bit of flow in the third quarter, we wrested it back.
“As I’ve said the past few weeks, you’re going to get errors when you’ve got different guys coming into the side – they’re trying to build connections with each other which other lads have had earlier in the season.
“For want of a better phrase, we’re rebuilding, and I’ve felt during the past few weeks it would come, with some of the work (attack coach) Harry Stapleton has been doing on show.
“While there were errors, I was always happy with how we looked as an attacking threat and our contact area was decent.”
Star of the show was Swedish captain Kalling-Smith, his second try the highlight of the night as he raced down the blind-side before collecting his own chip for a 75-metre stunner.
Reflecting on his performance and that of the rejigged front row, Reynolds added: “He got back to the Axel we know, freed up on the wing and always a threat with the ball. He had a good couple of counter-attacking opportunities, and it was great to see him cutting through.
“In the front row it was clever from (Forwards coach) Owen (Root) in rotating the props.
“We had to think a little differently with Paddy on at hooker, Liam Bishop had to move from tight-head to loose when James came back on at the end, and Ioan Emanuel was just fantastic – he’s not had loads of rugby for us but we love what he brings with his effort and he’s a great guy.
“We wanted to get him into the side and he had a very strong game.”
For the third time this season a four-figure crowd was at Old Bath Road, 1,211 making it the second highest of the campaign leading the DoR to conclude: “We’re trying to build an atmosphere here. We know teams come here and want to give us a beating, but we want to put on a product which people want to watch.
“Even the Richmond game, which was disappointing, there was a great buzz and I think people still loved it. The supporters are incredible, bringing so much energy, and hopefully it continues to grow in the new year. Happy Christmas to them all!”
*Rams were given a further boost on Saturday when Rosslyn Park stunned previously unbeaten table-toppers Richmond 25-17 at The Athletic Ground, meaning the Thames Valley side are now just one point off the summit heading into 2025.
‘Mond (58) remain a point ahead of Rams (57), with Rotherham (54), Park (46), Blackheath (45) and Plymouth Albion (43) looming in wait ahead of what promises to be a fascinating second half of the term.
By Richard Ashton
