A BONUS-point win took the Western Sydney Rams to the top of the table but the mood in the dressing rooms told a different story.

The surprise packets of the Australian Rugby Championship are not content to have caused a few upsets in the early stages of the inaugural tournament, they're quickly developing a Crusaders-like mentality where perfection is a weekly benchmark.

Rams skipper Ben Hand, in the form of his life, rubbished the 25-7 win over Ballymore Tornadoes at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday.

"That was our worst performance of the year. No one was happy in the sheds, everyone had their heads down and knew we didn't play well," Hand said. "To still get away with a four-try bonus-point win shows the hallmark of a good side, but we bombed six or seven tries - and that's being conservative.

"Some of the boys are revelling in the fact we've been given the underdog status and perhaps began reading too much of their own press."

Rams playmaker Kurtley Beale was sensational yet again, as was inside-centre and man-of-the-match Chris Siale.

A stunning upset victory by East Coast Aces over Canberra yesterday ensured the Rams maintained their spot atop the ladder, equal on 15 points with Melbourne Rebels.

The Aces' 35-34 win at Gold Coast Stadium also knocked Sydney Fleet out of the top four. The Fleet went down 39-20 to the Rebels on Friday night at Olympic Park.

In the other match yesterday, Perth Spirit had a 31-19 win over Central Coast Rays.