Rams RFC
{{Short description|English rugby union club, based in Berkshire}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox rugby team
| teamname = Rams
| image = Rams_Rugby_Football_Club.png
| imagesize = 200
| union = Berkshire RFU
| fullname = Rams Rugby Football Club
| nickname = Ensians, Rams
| shortname =
| founded = {{Start date and age|1924}}
| region =
| ground = Old Bath Road
| capacity = 2,000 (300 seats)
| chairman = Andrew Lynch
| ceo = Gary Reynolds
| president = Marcus Noye
| captain =
| top scorer =
| caps =
| coach = Seb Reynolds
| url = https://www.ramsrugby.com/
| league = National League 1
| season = 2024–25
| position = 5th
|pattern_la1 =
|pattern_b1 = _white_sleeve_seams
|pattern_ra1 =
|pattern_sh1 =
|pattern_so1 = _hoops navy
| leftarm1 = ff0000
|body1 = 000066
|rightarm1 = 000066
|shorts1 = 000066
|socks1 = B0DCFE
}}
Rams Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union club based near the village of Sonning on the outskirts of Reading in the county of Berkshire. The first XV play in the third-level league of the English rugby union system, National League 1, following their promotion from National League 2 South as champions at the end of the 2018–19 season. Until 2018, the club had been known as Redingensians and then Redingensians Rams before being renamed simply as Rams for the 2018–19 season onwards.{{cite web|url=http://cantrugby.co.uk/bedlinog-are-august-visitors/|title=Bedlinog are August visitors|publisher=Canterbury RFC|accessdate=22 August 2018}}
History
Rams consist of five senior teams of differing playing ability and a full complement of mini and junior sides.{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/redingensians/teams/ |title=Teams |publisher=Rams RFC (Pitchero)|accessdate=14 November 2018}} The first team currently plays in National League 1 (level 3) of the rugby union league structure. The second team play in Canterbury Division 3, the third team play in Berks/Bucks & Oxon Prem A, and the fourths in Berks/Bucks & Oxon 1. The fifth team participates in the Thames Valley Invitational Leagues. Both the under-17s and colts play in division 1 of their respective Berks/Bucks & Oxon leagues. Rams RFC is also renowned for its Rugby 7s capability and participates in several major international tournaments across Europe from March through to August.
Ground
Rams play home fixtures at Old Bath Road in the village of Sonning on the north-east outskirts of Reading.{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/redingensians/contact/|title=Contact |publisher=Rams RFC (Pitchero)|accessdate=14 November 2018}} As it is next to the A4 travel links are good, with parking available at the ground and regular bus services to Reading which is accessible by train. The ground consists of a main pitch next to a modern club-house, along with a number of other pitches for second XV and junior rugby.{{cite web|url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/rugby-news/redingensians-rams-reveal-big-ambitions-7942268|title=Redingensians Rams reveal big ambitions for the future of the club |date=15 October 2014 |publisher=Get Reading|accessdate=15 October 2014}}
Originally all standing, in 2021 the 300 seat Pountney Stand was built, named after the club's founding father Leslie Pountney.{{cite web|url=https://www.ramsrugby.com/news/new-stand-named-after-club-legend-2646121.html |title=NEW STAND NAMED AFTER CLUB LEGEND |date=9 September 2021 |publisher=Rams Rugby Football Club}} The ground capacity is around 2,000, with the 300 seater stand and approximately 1,700 (all standing) around the main pitch and on the club-house balcony.{{cite news |title=Rams would be happy to play in RFU's new Tier 2|work=The RugbyPaper |issue=802 |date=28 January 2024 |page=1-2}}
On 6 December 2024 a record crowd of 1,829 attended Old Bath Road for the top of the table clash between Rams and Richmond.{{cite web |title=MATCH REPORT: RAMS EDGED OUT AS RICHMOND PREVAIL |url=https://www.ramsrugby.com/teams/2853/match-centre/1-15584134/report |website=Rams Rugby Football Club |date=6 December 2024}}
Honours
1st team:
- Southern Counties champions: 1987–88
- Southern Counties South champions: 2000–01
- Southern Counties North champions: 2005–06
- South West Division 2 East champions: 2006–07
- National League 3 South West champions: 2014–15
- National League 2 South champions: 2018–19
2nd team:
- Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier A champions: 2007–08
4th team:
- Berks/Bucks & Oxon 4 South champions: 2014–15
- Berks/Bucks & Oxon 3 champions: 2015–16
Current standings
{{#section:2025–26 National League 1|Table}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website}}
{{National League 1}}
Category:Rugby union teams in England
Category:Rugby clubs established in 1924