After a disappointing first half, Mowden were unlucky not to get anything out of this game at the end, as they pushed the joint league leaders all the way.

Mowden’s front row injury problems were compounded after only 14 minutes of proceedings, when prop Tristan GRANT retired with a shoulder injury and with lock Talite VAIOLETI already playing out of position in the tight head berth, he and replacement prop Scott WESTWOOD were always in for a hard day at the coal face.

So it proved, as the Rams scrum dominated the game, making front foot ball difficult from the resulting retreating set piece and with conditions underfoot very much on the soft side, No. 8 Ollie HODGSON and scrum half Euan McKIRDY under pressure at the base from the outset.

However, before the scrum advantage to the home side took effect, Mowden started with purpose, maintaining possession with a series of concerted assaults in Rams territory, with lock Rob FARRAR unlucky not to have registered when deemed held up over the line.

Rams defence stood firm, which has been a highlight of their games to date in what has been an outstanding first season in National League One to date.

As GRANT left the field, Mowden’s game was additionally disadvantaged when flanker Joe CRAGGS was sin-binned for a high tackle, resulting in the first attacking scrum option for the home side. It was no surprise that this resulted in a penalty try, as Mowden’s reverse gear was penalised by the official. (7 – 0)

Not recovering sufficiently from the opening score, Mowden lost concentration and focus, allowing Rams to increase the lead immediately, when the hard working flanker Jamie GUTTERIDGE broke through a flimsy visitors defence, dotting down in the corner (12 – 0).

With the conversion missed by Rams, Mowden responded when League top points scorer Warren SEALS was successful with a well struck penalty (12 – 3), opening the scoring for the visitors.

It wasn’t long before penalty try no.2 arrived, when visiting scrum half Euan McKIRDY was sin binned for offside on thirty minutes. (19 – 3)

Mowden again pushed for a second score before oranges, but another fine defensive display by the home side kept them out.

Mowden introduced replacements in an attempt to change things, but Ram’s currently successful 10-man brand of rugby forced yet another set scrum which proved instrumental in the home side’s next score. Again, the Mowden pack were shunted backwards and over the line, for Rams No.8 and skipper Robbie STAPLEY to score with 30 minutes of the game remaining. (24 – 3)

Whether Rams thought they’d done enough at this stage or decided to take a collective breather, as Mowden forced their way back into the game, initially with a quick try from hooker David NELSON, who powered his way through several defenders on his way to the line. (24 – 8)

With SEALS converting (24 – 10), Mowden began to control the game, especially when in their frustration to stop the visitors dominance, two Rams players were sin binned within a two minute period, reducing the hosts to 13 players at a critical time.

With the remaining personnel stretched, Rams adopted all means possible to prevent an inevitable try, but despite their efforts to run down the clock, Mowden struck again, with replacement Ollie WALKER galloping around the home defence for the try (24 – 15) and towards the posts for easier conversion for SEALS, who duly obliged. (24 – 17)

At this point, the comeback gathered momentum, as Mowden piled on the pressure and looked capable of drawing level. However, a key 5-metre attacking lineout was lost by the visitors and the momentum seemed to subside from then on in.

Rams fought their way back into Mowden territory, squeezing out a penalty, which fly half Andrew HUMBERSTONE managed for his first kicking success of the day, to prevent the visitors from what perhaps could have been considered a deserved losing bonus point. (27 – 17)

Mowden were further hampered up front with the loss of replacement prop WESTWOOD with a leg injury as the game entered the final minutes and with no fit replacements available, Mowden were forced to play out the remainder of the game when down in numbers.

Full time followed a short time later, with Rams kicking the ball into touch for the win, as Mowden continued to look for the breakaway try which never materialised.