Huntingdon Rugby Club

Match reports:

Stags 14 v Loughborough 15

Stags were the better side and know full well that they could and should have won this EDF Senior Vase match.

Admittedly the loss through injury after twenty minutes of Damien Whales meant that Stags lost their play maker and had to re jig their three quarters. Secondly when Stags had virtually all the momentum and territory in the second half constant breaks and stoppages in play meant that Loughborough had the opportunity to regroup and the attacking impetus was lost.

On the debit side Stags, as in the previous week, were out rucked and for the first time this season rather struggled at the set scrum.

Opening exchanges were even, though one sparkling backs move by Stags hinted at promise to come. It was not sustained and just when it looked as though the first half might be scoreless Borough conjured up two tries on the right, the second one bang on half time which gave them a twelve nil lead at the interval.

Stags then took the game to their opponents, the back row especially prominent and Borough were pegged back. The inevitable try took a fair time coming, however, James Thorp who put in a storming performance, unstoppable from ten yards, Ben Strangeways converting. With about a quarter of the match remaining there was still time for Stags to win this game but Borough won a penalty on one of their few visits into Stags territory to make it 15 – 7.

With five minutes to go Thorp got his second try this time from twenty yards out and a second fine kick meant that victory for Stags was still possible. In the event Borough just hung on and Stags were left reflecting on what might have been.

Stags II 49 v Stewarts and Lloyds II 8

Stags 2's entered the match against S & L expecting a tougher game than in previous weeks. As a result they hit the ground running playing their best rugby of the season. Eight changes from the squad the previous week seemed to have no detrimental effect. An early penalty by Wayne Bradley and try by the evergreen Nick Wilmer seemed to break S&L. The game was played with uncontested scrums ( S&L were short due to Cup restrictions placed on the first team) Whoever won the breakdown would dominate possession. It was lucky that Huntingdons standout players on the day were the two 17 year old Flankers, Andrew Coombes and Jack Heather, coupled with Pinkneys dominance at the lineout this ensured Stags had all the possession and with Bradley orchestrating and Ben Crean, Rob Grant running incisive lines tries came at regular intervals.

At 25-3 the S&L flanker added some needless spice to the match, this spurred Stags on and rather than rest on their laurels as in previous matches they continued to punish the opposition. S&L scored a last minute kick and chase consolation to end what was a thoroughly impressive win for Stags.

Tries- Ben Crean- 3, Wilmer-1, Barnard-1, Pinkney-2, Bradley-1,

Team- Paul Manchett, Stimmo, Simon (New Zealander) Russ McKenzie, Matt Griggs, Pinkers, Jack Heather, Andrew Coombes, Nick Wilcox, Wayne Bradley, Nick Wilmer, Ben Crean, Rob Grant, Sam Barnard, Steve Hill, Mykhailo

Stags III 7 v Oundle 27

12 Stags made the trip to Oundle on Saturday and were supplemented by Oundle reserve players. Stags fought valiantly and tackled solidly throughout the game but were undone by some excellent quick play from a youthful set of Oundle backs who created numerous overlaps out wide.
The scores were 7-7 at half time after a Colin McArdle try under the posts, from a tap penalty, converted by Stuart Graddage. With a dominating pack, Stags should have scored more points but failed to keep up the momentum into the second half when the pace of the Oundle backs couldn't be matched.

Team: Charlie Wade, John Mayfield, Patrick Goldsworthy, Neil Morey, Sid Millar, Colin McArdle, Mark Belcher, Stuart Graddage, Nigel Kilby, Dan Till, Joe Kafael and CD.

Scorers: Tries : 1 Colin McArdle, Conversions: 1 Stuart Graddage

Man of the Match: Sid Millar