The Rams paid the price of losing wickets at inopportune times on day one, but unfortunately left little to the imagination after the resumption of play.

Resuming at 6-127, the Rams needed just 37 to eclipse the home side's below-par total of 167 and give themselves a chance at taking away the premiership points.

Despite losing the top order cheaply, the Rams felt confident of a form reversal with Michael King and skipper Matt Gale at the crease.

For the Rams to win, Gale and King had to be there at the end, but four runs into the chase the worst imaginable happened with Gale falling for 18.

Soon after, King succumbed leg before to Melbourne spearhead Adam Dale, who finished with 2-40.

Not dissimilar to the top order, the Rams' tail end failed to keep out Robert Cassell (5-34) in the dying stages, as he went on to secure a five-wicket haul.

With a lead of six runs, Melbourne chose to bat again and embarrass the Rams further piling on a steady 1-116.

Openers Ben Way (55) and Robert Cooper (43) did the bulk of the damage with a 76-run partnership.