Walcha ended Gunnedah's giant-killing run in decisive fashion at Walcha on Saturday.
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On the back of the Red Devils' win over then-competition leaders Moree the previous round, and having fallen to the Bulls themselves, the Rams knew it was going to be a bit of a benchmark game for them.
But they showed their class to run out 46-17 victors.
"We had to perform to our best and I think we were near there," Rams co-coach Hyde Thomson said noting that they played their game for the 80 minutes.
One of the keys to the win in what was a tougher battle than the scoreline indicates was their will to get to the ruck and clean it out.
That had a two-fold affect. It allowed them to play off a lot of front foot ball, which is when they are so dangerous, and conversely slowed the Red Devils' ball down.
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In turn that stifled their momentum and combined with some fierce defence from the Rams, the Red Devils forwards weren't able to have the impact they have in recent weeks.
Thomson said they just "kept meeting them on the ad line and taking the space".
"They made a fair few errors on the back of our defence," he said.
By contrast their ability to "hold onto the ball and be patient with it and work for the opportunities" was one of the most pleasing parts of the Rams' performance.
It was a strong team performance, so much so that Thomson said it was difficult selecting the points.
"Dom Bower is really leading the team around well from 15, and young James Ashleigh, who has come in at lock, he's really starting to improve greatly," he said.
He is growing in confidence each game.
Breakaway Will Fletcher also made some great inroads through the centre, Thomson said. When they needed someone to go forward he put his hand up.
Troy Yarnold also had a strong game in his first game back since round two slotting into 12 in the absence of Tom Bucknell.
Elsewhere Scone bore the brunt of Moree's frustrations' , the Bulls running in 10 tries in a 68-10 thrashing while Barraba got the better of Inverell 34-20.
