‘IN terms of what we’ve been involved in, it was probably the best quality National One game I’ve seen this year.’
So said Director of Rugby Seb Reynolds following Rams’ enthralling, brutal 33-14 home victory against Blackheath, a success which made it a perfect 10 to start the season.
The visitors bossed the opening quarter only to be repelled by a blue wall, and Reynolds’ men then grabbed converted tries from Max Hayman and Zach Clow to lead 14-0 at the break.
Tom Ffitch added to a Tom Everard score to get Club on the board early in the second period, the supreme Robbie Stapley hitting back for the hosts.
Yet Blackheath pulled with five as Ffitch was again on target following a Noah Sloot try, their opponents only finally able to shake them off in the final 10 minutes as Fraser Honey converted scores from Morgan MacRae and the fabulous Solodrau Radianirova.
Commenting on a cracker, Reynolds began: “Both sides were outstanding, some of the hits made me glad I’m not playing any more, but within that we kept our discipline and I was so pleased with our physicality.
“It’s what the game is all about. The guys are fighting for each other and Blackheath stayed in the game, but we kept our patience and composure, kept building and ultimately took the contest away in the last 15 minutes.
“I enjoyed watching the game and that wouldn’t have changed even if Blackheath had come back and won because they’d have deserved it – credit to everyone on the pitch, it was a very good spectacle.”
Rams could arguably have been behind following the visitors’ dominant start, holding Club up twice over the line during an incredible defensive rearguard, and the DoR continued: “Each team had its moments – they came here with real ambition and are a very good outfit. We were wary of them and had to implement a few specific things, but we did well.
“(Defence coach) Danny (Batty) will be pleased, but a good system is only as good as the way the players tackle.
“With the new laws you’ve got to keep your shots low which can be tough under fatigue, but we maintained it throughout and our organisation was very good.”
While it was a tremendous performance across the board, the likes of second rows Nile Dacres and man-of-the-match Dan Swain, Stapley and Army ace Radianirova all particularly caught the eye, with Reynolds explaining: “There are lots of elements to a team which is why it’s the best sport in the world.
“Nile around the line-out and carrying was superb, Swaino’s physicality was brilliant and his engine to keep going forward exceptional, Robbie is rolling back the years and his energy is great.
“But a special mention to Solo. He won Army Players’ Player of the Year on Thursday so couldn’t train, but he came into the side and his natural ability in the contact area is brilliant.
“I’m so pleased he got his first official try – I think he got one down at Plymouth but it was chalked off – because everyone can see the effort he puts in and the quality he brought to the game. No-one on the pitch deserved a score more than him.”
Rams travel to third-placed Rotherham Titans next Saturday (2pm).
