RAMS vice-captain Drew Humberstone believes Saturday’s National One game with Cambridge (3pm) is one supporters can view as particularly exciting as the joint table-toppers arrive at Old Bath Road with two unbeaten records on the line.
The Blood & Sand have swept all before them in matching RAMS’ tally of a perfect 25 points to date, an eye-catching 32-19 bonus-point win against last year’s runners-up Sale their most recent outing.
And Humberstone admitted: “Cambridge are doing really well at the moment and each year they’ve got better.
“They’re a very good side and their forwards especially are excellent – they’ve got a good line-out and maul and it’s another new challenge we’ve got to face.
“A bit like us they’ve retained a lot of players and built on their squad in recent years, and it’s going to be a huge test.”
While the visitors arrive on the crest of a wave, it has also been an excellent start to the campaign for RAMS, and Humberstone continued: “There was a huge effort throughout pre-season and we’re also looking to build on what we’ve done in the previous seasons, and it’s paying dividends.
“Every game bar Esher we’ve scored 40 points so the attacking side of our game is really stepping up and improving, but defensively we’re also questioning some of the points leaked and that’s a good sign there are still things to work on.”
The Oxford University Blue has been returned to his favoured role at inside centre this year having done a sterling job at both fly-half and full-back since RAMS reached National One, but Humberstone modestly stated: “It’s nice (to be back at 12), but with the quality of the team, I’m always happy to be involved wherever I’m asked and I’d take any position on the pitch.”
His switch back to inside centre has coincided with the return of Alex Seers at fly-half, while the likes of the league’s top try-scorer, Jak Rossiter, Henry Bird and the dynamic new duo of Axel Kalling-Smith and Charlie Robson have been going great guns in the back three.
With James McRae and Dan Swain also adding impetus in the pack, Humberstone revealed: “When new guys come into the team and hit the level and raise it, it gives everyone a fresh impetus and a bit of excitement.
“Charlie and Axel have been phenomenal and some of the tries they’ve scored have been amazing, and you also can’t forget Jak (Rossiter) who keeps adding to his tally (now 66 first-team tries) – he’s got his eyes on going past (Director of Rugby) Seb (Reynolds, 78) next, and I’m sure he’d enjoy that.”
By Richard Ashton
