JAMES Baker's last gasp try set up a thrilling 31-30 win for Redingensians Rams against Coventry-based visitors Broadstreet in their last pre-season friendly, writes Nigel Sutcliffe.

Tight-head Baker, corner-stone of a strong Rams scrum, touched down after Samir Kharbouch's clean take from a short-yardage line-out.

This victory over a fellow Division 2 side shows the Sonning men can go into next Saturday's league opener against Redruth with plenty of confidence.

Rams coach Mike Tewkesbury admitted: "I was pleased with the performance. However we also learned mistakes will be punished at this level.

"But we showed great resilience and effort. The hard work of the lads during the summer showed through."

Rams' 12-10 interval lead was scant reward after controlling most of the first half.

Azza Hopkins and Sean McDermottroe touched down, but Broadstreet spread the ball wide twice to score against the run of play.

Straight from the restart, Luke Flower's crosskick set up a try for Dan Barnes, who along with centre partner Steve Bryant, looked dynamic in attack and defence. Flower added his second conversion.

But the Coventry men dominated most of the second period and added 17 points despite Rams' gritty defence.

It looked bleak for them at 27-19 down in the closing stages before winger McDermottroe showed his great strength and pace to finish off a backs move.

And Guy Swadling added a touchline conversion before Baker grabbed the vital points.

Meanwhile, Rams name four newcomers in their squad of 20 for the National 2 South opener against Redruth at the Old Bath Road ground this Saturday (2pm).

In the pack are lock forwards Ollie Taylor, signed from Bracknell, and 6ft 7in Reading University student Dieter Kerschbaumer, a product of the Rams Academy.

Behind the scrum are winger Reuben Norville and scrum-half Sam Brown, both like Kerschbaumer members of the Berks under-20 county final side.

Brown has the right pedigree. His father Gareth was No.9 at Newbury and also captained Berkshire.

Tewkesbury will make a late starting line-up decision for his club’s first ever appearance at this level - and admits the Cornishmen are an unknown quantity.

He said: “I know they will have to make changes after losing players to other clubs in the close season so it’s hard to judge their strength.

“They lost narrowly at home to Swansea in pre-season and last weekend beat Brixham away 25-6 which isn’t a bad result.

“I feel the build-up to our new campaign went well and we got the balance of opposition right although the runaway victory against Bracknell came as a surprise.”

Rams squad: Swadling, Poole, Barnes, Bryant, McDermottroe, Flower, Brown, Norville, Weller, Steadman, Baker, Crame, Taylor, Kerschbaumer, Amor, Kharbouch, A Hopkins, Nightingale, Guttridge.