Bishop’s Stortford bottom of National League 1 after 26-14 home defeat to Rams

Bishop’s Stortford lost 26-14 at home to title-chasing Rams on Saturday (February 10) as they fell to the bottom of National League 1.

The hosts led 14-7 at the break but their opponents pulled clear after the break at Silver Leys.

The objective observer would have been hard pressed for much of this hard-fought game to say which side was bottom of the league and which was pushing for top spot, but, eventually, the result went to form and the visitors’ more clinical finishing saw them home.

Marcus Cattell’s side are now propping up the table having been leapfrogged by Taunton after their 49-14 bonus-point victory over Sedgley Park, with Stortford visiting the latter this Saturday (February 17).

Stortford definitely had the better of the first half, despite going 7-0 down to an early try to James McRae.

They levelled after 33 minutes when Chris Smith finished some good handling, with Francis Moore prominent.

Tom Walker converted, as he did five minutes later after his own try from a slick double loop move from the back of an attacking scrum.

Rams were soon level after the break, with McRae getting his second try after a quick penalty and Fraser Honey again adding the extras.

There was nothing to choose between the sides for the next 22 minutes, but Rams then took full advantage of a missed tackle out wide on their own 22 to produce an impressive try for Jak Rossiter.

The visitors were soon on the attack again and Rossiter added another try after a well-controlled five-metre lineout.

Stortford might well have gained a losing bonus point at the death from their own five-metre lineout, but the referee ended the game by adjudging that the ball had been held up over the line.

Stortford: Hankin, Morris, Mills, Moore, Smith, Walker, Bolton; Hill, Jackson, Peck, Kiff, Wardell, Jones, Pope, Rogers. Replacements: Rayment, Warren, Tierney, Langworthy, Biard.

Rams: Bird, Rossiter, Kalling-Smith, Humberstone, Robson, Honey, Monye; Marris, Hayman, Lomas, C Stapley, Swain, Hoyt, Mcrae, R Stapley. Replacements: Harris, McDonnell-Roberts, Scott, Cole, Grundy.

Scorers: Stortford - Tries: Smith 29, Walker 36; Cons: Walker 30, 37. Rams - Tries: McRae 4, 48, Rossiter 67, 72; Cons: Honey 5, 49, 73.

Referee: Alan Chandrachud.

Star man: Tom Walker (Stortford).

Attendance: 424.