The Rams completed their perfect season with a comprehensive 49-6 victory over the Sheffield Giants, the second defeat of our local rivals this season.

Despite a long return on the opening kickoff in torrential rain, the Giants were stopped on fourth down. The Rams responded with a strong drive, but a juggling interception of a very wet ball ended the first possession.

The Rams defense forced a punt though, and Jono Bell-Davis opened the scoring with a long touchdown run. The PAT was no good after a penalty negated the first successful attempt. However, the Giants immediately answered with a kickoff return touchdown. Their two-point conversion attempt also failed after multiple flags, leaving the score tied at 6-6.

Elliot Jackson restored the lead for the Rams with a short touchdown run, and Trish Sarkar added the PAT to make it 13-6. A strong punt from the Giants helped pin the Rams back, and although Keimar Stuart broke free for a long touchdown, it was called back for holding. The Rams later fumbled on a QB sneak attempt on 4th down near midfield to give the ball back to the Giants.

The defense held firm again with another turnover on downs. Inside the two-minute warning, Taylor Umland led a perfect two-minute drill, but the drive was completed with a rushing touchdown by Dan Haywood who took over as QB for one play and then ran it in from the 3-yard line. Sarkar’s kick made it 20-6 at halftime.

The second half began with a huge return from Nathaniel Derrick, who could only be stopped by a slide tackle from a Sheffield player. This set up Jackson’s second touchdown of the day. The PAT was good to extend the lead to 27-6.

After another Giants punt, Tyler Broad delivered a spectacular punt return to the 1-yard line, where Iuri Pina ran it in on the next play for his first touchdown, in his first game for the Rams. Sarkar’s kick made it 34-6.

The Rams offense wasn’t done. A powerful run from Matthew Blackstock and a jumping grab by Iby Sardar set up Liam Calvert, who powered in from inside the 1. Sarkar again added the PAT to make it 41-6.

The very next drive ended with a Giants fumble, and Kelvin Newsome scooped it up and ran it back for a defensive touchdown. On the PAT attempt, Haywood found Broad on a well-executed fake to convert for two, stretching the lead to 49-6 as the third quarter closed.

The running clock was in full effect, and the Rams rotated in their backups. The Giants punted twice more in the final quarter, whilst the Rams were content to control possession. Backup quarterback Tyler Coare completed a couple of short passes to run out the clock and close out another strong team win.

The Rams completed their perfect season with a 8-0 record and continued their dominant form heading into the post-season, with all three phases of the team contributing in another emphatic performance.

The Rams will now play a playoff game on August 3rd, details and opponent will be confirmed after the Wild Card round.

Image courtesy of Michelle Gaze