RELIEVED Director of Rugby Seb Reynolds admitted Rams were far from their best as they battled to a 10-6 National One success at Bishop’s Stortford.
An early Axel Kalling-Smith try put the visitors in front, but with a torrential downpour for the opening half-hour making conditions difficult, two Mike Cooke penalties had Stortford 6-5 up at the break.
The dis-jointed nature of the contest continued after the break, but Tomek Pozniak continued his fine start to life in Berkshire with a fifth score in as many games which ultimately proved the match-winner, a resolute defensive display from the visitors keeping their opponents from crossing the whitewash.
Reflecting on a difficult yet ultimately successful afternoon at Silver Leys, Reynolds said: “It was an attritional battle.
“The heavens opened just before kick-off and while it brightened up, the ball and surface remained greasy and it made for a game which needed management, to which we weren’t at our best.
“It’s something for our young players to learn from and even the experienced guys – speaking to (fly-half) Fraser (Honey), we felt we could have looked after moments of the game better.
“But having said that, we’ve come to a strong side who are changing how they play, more solid defensively and blunt instrument in attack, and I thought we did that superbly.”
Rams have played some eye-catching rugby in the opening five rounds of the season – on four occasions scoring more than 40 points – but had shipped 65 in the previous two weeks at Dings Crusaders and at home to Leicester Lions.
And on a different type of win, the DoR continued: “It would have been very satisfying for Danny (Batty, defence coach) – for him it’s like a 50-point win because we’ve stopped a dangerous side scoring a try – but obviously we’d have liked to score more because we had multiple opportunities.
“Most of the game was spent in their 22 or the middle third – they only had a few moments in our 22 so we’re pleased with that – but ultimately we should have converted more chances.
“There were a lot of unforced errors, but that happens and we can partly put it down to conditions. The main takeaway was the defensive display.”
With second-placed Richmond held to a thrilling 31-31 draw at Dings, Rams are now the only side with a 100 per cent record in the league albeit now face a run of six of their next seven fixtures against sides in the top half of the table.
Commenting on a fine start to the campaign and the impact of summer signing Pozniak, Reynolds ended by saying: “You wouldn’t want it any other way and there’s no point hiding away from that, it’s a fantastic start but only six games into the season and onto a tough challenge next week.
“Poz has been superb and just has a habit of getting on the ball, he’s a magnet for scoring tries and in a game like this to pop up down the short side and nab the victory was great.
“But I also want to praise (loose-head prop) Paddy Harris – I thought he was excellent when he came on and he’s just getting better and better – I was pleased to see his impact off the bench.”
Rams host Birmingham Moseley next Saturday (3pm).
