Huntingdon Rugby Club

Match reports:

Leicester Vipers 12 v Stags 22

Stags recorded their second away win and fourth victory out of six games in the league but these bare facts do not tell the story of a rather strange affair.

Stags, playing some of their best rugby for some time, were wholly dominant in the first half, scored four tries, could have had double that number and should have put Vipers out of sight. A measure of their comfort was that only one penalty was conceded in the first period and that on 35 minutes, these statistics being in no wise attributable, the captains natural charm notwithstanding,to the fact that it was a woman referee.

Despite problems at the line out, Stags started the match at pace, frequently breaking the gain line, backs and forwards linking well. Neil Welsh scored the first two tries Damien Whales converting one and when Charlie Cook was put into space on the left Stags were in clover. Only some over complication and a few knock-ons prevented further scoring until Simon Orange with a show and go and sprint to the line brought Stags to 22-0 at half time and the prospect of a try fest in the second 40.

Though Stags continued with good territory no points resulted and the match then got stuck in midfield with a succession of set scrums which saw both packs (especially Stags) going backwards on their own ball. It all got a bit messy but Vipers appeared toothless and Stags were in control until a couple of missed tackles gave Vipers an unconverted try and then a failure to deal with a kick ahead gave the home side a further seven points. At 22-12, it was suddenly sweaty, made more so when Stags had to play the last 10 minutes with 14 men after a yellow card.

In the end all was well and Stags came away with two well deserved points but they will find Towcestrians at Hinchingbrooke this Saturday, kick-off 3.00 p.m. more testing opponents and need to reproduce their first half form for the whole match.

Stags II 27- Stockwood Park II 24

Huntingdon 2's received the wake up call they needed after two comfortable wins. A few late withdrawals and 1st team call ups meant only 15 players arrived at Luton with four 17 year olds in the starting line up. From the off Park looked a better side than their bottom place in the league showed, but some good quick ball from the forwards soon had Stags in a familiar routine, Chip wood back at fly half feeding Rob Grant and Jack Heather in the centres who caused the Park midfield untold problems. Two tries from Heather and one from Grant bearing testimony. Early in the second half Stags scored again with sharp hands from a set piece again putting Grant through. Wood then scored a drop goal to put the score at 27-3. A number of factors then changed the game, Stockwood park brought on a good No8 and centre, Stags got complacent and then tired. Despite some fantastic defence on the Stags goal line park scored out wide. They then continued scoring until the final whistle blew, with a relieved Stags aware they need to improve for tougher League games ahead.

MOM- Jack Heather

Special mention to Charlie Ward at prop who had a good 80 mins.

Team- Manchett, Stimmo, Ward, Griggs, McKenzie, Golightly, Pinkney, Shaun NZ, Wilcox, Wood, Grant, Heather, Barnard, Andy, Mykhailo.

Stags 27 v Sharnbrook & Colworth Renegades 5

A powerful Stags pack set up a fine victory by two goals, a penalty and two tries over the Renegades solitary opening try.

The omens were good with the Sainted Spenny returning to the fold and skipper CD and Sid b.....ring off to France. Things improved remarkably when Naughty Nick Wilcox (who's been eating too many pasties) declined to play and only pinched one player on the day.

At the first kick off R'gades secured a ball that never travelled the full 10m and set their nippy backs free to speed over in the corner. With this warning shot it was clear that Stags must play to their strengths in the pack, a tactic which they had dismally failed to implement the preceding week.

Until the last ten minutes of the game, when scrums went unopposed, Stags modestly talented front five scrummaged the R'gades pack of the park. The game remained close throughout the first half with Dave the Bouncing Czech zebedeed with zest to score near to the posts, although the kick was missed. Later on in the half, Iceman Belcher made amends when Stags were awarded a penalty under the posts. In spite of Stags pack power, line outs were a mess with R'gades climbing all over poor Ped. As a result the backs decided it was best to run out of the 22 rather than kick.
Throughout the game Stags backs threatened occasionally and were particularly venomous with their tackles... well done Paul Mayfield.

Turning round 8-5 ahead, the game was still tight but the tactics of playing tight and bringing the ball back to the pack were agreed and implemented. Worn down by the Stags pack, R'gades gave ground setting up two tries scored from short range; the mole like Spenny (could he get any closer to the ground) burrowing over and JJ the 'bok scurrying over for the other. As these were close to the posts the conversions were secured.

Paul Lawro (man of the match) had a great game breaking and slipping many tackles. In one of his many surges, he set up a flowing back move which resulted in a score in the corner for winger Dan Till.

The ignominy of the Firby goes this week to Ped who decided on an aimless vertical punt when he should have kept the ball in hand and charged up the pitch.

Well done everyone, hurry back Chris there's already murmurs of mutiny in the ranks.