Huntingdon Rugby Club

Match reports:

Wellingborough 43 v Stags 5

Tries to Boro in the opening and final minutes of the first half and a doubtful one in between meant that this match was effectively over at half time.

The home side scored three further tries and with Peter Vickers converting five of them and kicking a drop goal Stags suffered a comprehensive defeat.

In truth, on an ideal day for running and handling the Boro backs were far superior and though it was their left wing who scored a hat trick of tries it was the full back with timely incursions and good lines of attack that created much of the damage. In contrast, Stags looked pedestrian and laboured and though the rub of the green and a couple of important decisions went Boro’s way, Stags could have no real complaints at the end.

One encouraging aspect for Stags was that the pack, especially in the first half, put pressure on Boro in scrum and line out and probably deserved more than the single try, from Spencer Burgess, following a line out catch and drive.

Stags know the other teams in the league that play a similar expansive game to Wellingborough and will need to devise and implement defensive strategies to deal with them.

Stags II 35 v Wellingboroguh 20

A Stags 2nd team containing a blend of youth and age went to Cut Throat Lane on Saturday with high hopes after the previous weeks win against Heathens. As in previous weeks Wellingborough had a large experienced pack. In the first half Stags sort to win quick ball and release the backs, keeping away from the forwards. The plan went well with Pinkney dominating the lineout and the back row of Greatorex, Balchin and Morey rampaging around the field. A slick passing move along the backs with a lovely delayed pass by centre Hills led to Wayne Bradley scoring the first of a brace of tries. Pinlkney went over next after several phases of play, followed by Rob Balchin with excellent support work after a break from the lineout by Wilcox. In the interim Bradley was succesfull with a couple of penalties and conversions, Wellingborough also scored a breakaway try and a penalty as Stags relaxed. The last play of the half produced the best try, quick ball from Morey at the lineout, half break by Wilcox to Woods who drew all the midfield defenders, as he took the tackle he passed blind overhead to the supporting Bradley who touched down for this second.

The second half was a completely different game, an injured Woods moved to fullback and subsequently there was a lack of penetration in the backs, Pinkney had to be substituted leading to a drying up of lineout ball and Wellingborough changed their tactics ensuring a more forward orientated game . Stags were further hampered by the referee's penchant for awarding scrums for all indiscretions at which Wellingborough were dominant. The game became a test of character for the Stags pack as Wellingborough clawed back two tries from their dominant scrum base, hooker Graham Peigton responded particularly well to the pressure not being cowed by the bigger more experienced Wellinborough front row, with winger Sam Barbard tackling everything that moved as well as running in a scintillating try. All credit to Stags who did not capitulate and as the Wellingborough forwards tired were in the ascendency again for the last 10 minutes with Bradley kicking a cushioning penalty.

All round a good Team effort- special thanks to Veterans Neil Greatorex, Chris Charalambous, Neil Morey, Spanner and Chris Durrant.

MOTM - James Pinkney , Wayne Bradley .

Team- Paul Manchett, graham Peigton, Stimmo, James Pinkney, Adam Wells, Rob Balchin, Neil Morey, Neil Greatorex, Nick Wilcox (C) Chip Wood, Chris Charalambous,Steve Hills, Sam Barnard, Chris Durrant, Wayne Bradley, Charlie Ward, Spanner.