Stow RFC II 22

Minchinhampton Rams 36

MINCH Rams made the trip to salubrious Stow for their first Reserve League game.

On a hard pitch and warm day, they found the first-half tough against an organised Stow side, conceding three tries, losing Rosser-Smith and Kimber to injury in the process, but not before Kimber had pulled one back, making it 7-17 at half-time.

The second half saw a period of protracted pressure from Minch in the Stow half but they struggled to convert it into points, until Tom Jenns went on a mazy run to score.

A penalty by the in-form Muskett brought the score to 15-17, and then confidence seemed to flow through the Rams’ veins.

Strong tackles from Richmond and Brookman, who changed defence into attack, set the platform for some thrilling back play.

A burst upfield and well-judged kick by Sparkhall resulted in Jenns’ second try, and sweetly timed passes set up Hiatt for a sprint to the corner, then the rampaging Brookman off-loaded adroitly to the supporting Wright, Muskett converting again.

Laird and Maller in the boilerhouse laid the groundwork, but the whole team’s support play was excellent, while young Jamie Odell made a sound debut.