REDINGENSIANS Rams looked anything but relegation candidates by pulling off the shock result of the day in National Two South – a five-try 37-12 success at Southend.
Rams showed grit and determination from the start to subdue the Saxons, but it seemed unlikely that an 18-5 lead at the break would be enough after having the advantage of a strong northerly wind in the first half.
Skipper Dan Barnes admitted: “I was worried. The previous match we had thrown away a 13-point half-time lead against Dorking.
“But this time round our game management was much better. We varied our game, kept them guessing and their morale faded.”
Rams got off to the perfect start with a third-minute Luke Flower penalty and soon increased this lead with a try from hooker Ben Henderson overlapping on the wing.
Southend had Chris Vaughan yellow-carded and Flower converted the penalty to make it 11-0 but Rams had to defend desperately at times as the hosts fought back.
However, the visitors stretched their advantage when a clever chip through by George Drury put winger Ollie Poole in.
Then Saxons struck what seemed an important blow on half-time with a try from skipper Mark Billings after Rams’ Jamie Guttridge was sin-binned.
Missed tackles allowed a Chris Shields touchdown to narrow the arrears further six minutes after the break but Rams, with plenty of line-out ball from the impressive Dieter Kershbaumer, did well against the wind.
Southend’s Dylan Day-White received a yellow as the Berkshire men took control, adding three tries in the final quarter.
Just on the hour Tom Vooght’s try from a catch and drive swung the game decisively their way before good work by forwards and backs led to Ross Crame’s bonus-point effort.
It was fitting those two home-grown players came off the bench to score their first league tries for the club.
On the final whistle Olly Foxley crossed to put the icing on the cake after an excellent Rams display. 
Redingensians will hope to make further progress at home to Bury St Edmunds on Saturday (2pm).