SEB Reynolds paid tribute to his National Two South table-topping Rams after they recorded a 14th consecutive victory in a 36-21 success against Old Albanians at Old Bath Road, writes Richard Ashton.

The visitors are the only side to have beaten Rams this season, winning 18-10 back in week four, and coming off the back of their dramatic win at Henley the week before, there was a question over whether Reynolds' men could raise themselves again.

Yet it took just 10 minutes for that to have been blown out of the water, the pack absolutely dismantling their opponents in the scrum to set up a brace of tries.

Firstly, on their own ball, Rams pushed the scrum over the try-line for No. 8 Ross Crame to dot down, and shortly after, they pushed the visitors off their own set-piece to allow scrum-half Greg Illingworth to hoover up the loose ball and cross the whitewash.

It got even better for the home side before the break, with a pair of stunning scores.

Firstly, hooker Ben Henderson – imperious on his 100th appearance – threw a majestic miss-pass which allowed skipper Tom Vooght to scamper over in the corner, and then the front row of Henderson, Jack Steadman and James Baker off-loaded sensationally to allow flanker Louis Wolf to go over for the bonus-point score.

Leading 26-0 at the break, Rams had effectively put the game to bed.

And Reynolds told the Chronicle: "I think that in the first half when we went 26-0 up, it was a tough ask for them to come back.

"The pack were great, they're a sight to behold at times. Owen Root has done an amazing job with them and the way they apply their trade during the match is just brilliant to watch.

"We talked about putting them under pressure at the set-piece and we did that to great effect.

"In hindsight, to play against the team which had beaten us this season, the week after Henley, was probably the best game we could have had. It enabled us to refocus."

Reflecting on his side's fourth try, where Henderson's blind pass to Steadman was the sort of thing seen in Barbarians rugby, Reynolds added: "We practice skills a lot in training. We put the players in game-like situations and try and develop talent in the area and at the club to the point where everyone can do everything.

"The forwards will be asking the backs why they aren't doing that, but I think it's a total game and that's what you want to see."

The visitors pulled a converted try back early in the second half, but Henderson completed a memorable day by going over from close range before he was substituted to a standing ovation.

Albanians refused to give in and grabbed a second try, but Rams responded as Jamie Guttridge hammered his way over the line from close range and despite a converted score from the last play for the visitors, this was another comfortable win for the league leaders.

And Reynolds was quick to praise his back line, with fly-half Alex Seers in particular pulling the strings.

He said: "Alex has been a wonderful addition to the side and he's really matured into the role, he's adding a lot to our game.

"Also, Andy Humberstone at 12, is a real leader and we've got a really dangerous back line with Ellis Jones, whose been fantastic, outside him and Jak Rossiter and Conor Corrigan on the wings are really adding to things."

With his side now 15 points clear of Taunton Titans in second, the expectation of being champions-elect is not something which fazes Reynolds, although he did admit it has made for new challenges while they try and remain focused on their long-term goals.

He revealed: "It's new for us as a club and we're having to deal with different things. We want to become a local hub for talent in the area and we believe we can be that. Reading has so many talented rugby players and talented sports people with a huge demographic of people and if we can bring on young talent that's what we want to do.

"The fact we had a big game against Henley with 1,200 people watching, then had a TV crew down in the week, is new to us, but you just have to deal with it and accept it and keep focused.

"Regardless of what's going on, even if we're losing, we just try to keep pressing forwards."

Next up for Rams is a trip to in-form Bury St Edmunds, unbeaten in four games and sixth in the table.

And Reynolds warned: "Bury St Edmunds are a fantastic side. They are very good at home and it will be a really tough challenge. This is why we don't look too far ahead, we just look at how we can improve.

"The test will be whether we can go to Bury St Edmunds and perform and we'll have a look at how we can do that during the week."