Huntingdon Rugby Club

Match reports:

Peterborough 17 v Stags 7

In persistent rain and a strong wind, Stags failed to capitalise sufficiently when the elements were in their favour in the first half, eventually going down to a committed and experienced home side by two goals and a penalty to a goal.

Stags made all the early running but Boro defended well and the visitors failedto find the killer blow until Elliot Baldwin finished off good close Quarters work, Damien Whales converting. Both sides tried to play constructive rugby with ball in hand, perhaps too much so far as Stags were concerned, the old fashioned kick and chase with the wind behind being rather neglected when the conditions called for such a tactic.

The hosts rarely threatened in the first period even though the penalty count against Stags in the first 25 minutes was a dismaying and sometimes puzzling eight to one.
A half time score of 7-0 always looked insufficient as there was no let up in the gale and acouple of injuriesforced Stags to make some changes. Nonetheless the game was still up for grabs and though the home side scored a penalty and a coverted try Stags were more effective into the wind than Borough had been, with a particularly strong fifteen minute spell in the middle of the half which had Borough on the back foot. A score looked possible but once again the finish was not quite there, Borough weathered the storm and when Darrien Uys went twenty yards for a converted try for 17 - 7 there was no way back for Stags.

Stags can still be satisfied with their efforts; in a changed side with three debutantes all of whom impressed and in a fairly intimidating cotext it would have been all too easy to buckle but they played their full part in a well contested match.

Stags II 24 v Letchworth II 0

Stags again put in a great performance against a large and competent Letchworth 2nd's who's first team play their games in London 2. In awful weather conditions Stags showed their intent from the start, Rob Grant ran back a Letchworth kick feeding Jack Edge for a 60 metre gain. Tremendous tackling and aggression at the break down (Russ McKenzies best performance) put the big Letchworth forwards on the back foot. Chip Wood at Half back providing great service to fly half Martin who had an excellent game mixing his distribution feeding the pacy outsude backs. Without club legend (James Pinkney) poached for the 1sts, Stags expected to struggle in the lineout, but Chris Brickett and South African Flanker Vaughn rose to the challenge, assisted by Stimmos accurate throwing. It's not often you see 4 ball going backwards taken with regularity in a 2nd team game. The front row including a rejuvinated Benni Giglio, fresh from delivering his son had the Letchworth pack in all sorts of bother. There were a number of great performances on the day, but one exceptional, given the responsibility of Captaincy Matthew Griggs put in a herculean effort, nursing a sore back before kick off he played 50 minutes , but in this time stamped his class on the game, scoring two well taken tries leading from the front, breaking Letchworth resistance. At half time against the elements Stags were 17-0 up. With the elements Letchworth were never going to close the gap and Stags increased their pressure, with clun veteran Spencer Burgess creeping over for the 3rd try. After an injury to a Letchworth player the match was called off 15 minutes early. It's fair to say that on the day Stags 2's were "Pretty boys" to Letchworths "Hitmen". Tough game this week St Neots 1sts away.

Highlights-

Spencers Tackle - (Why did the centre run at him not round him.)
Griggsy's tries- (Poetry in motion.)
Chris Brickets Tackle-
Vaughn's jumping at 4
Fluid backs passing, running and support.

Tries- Griggs 2, Burgess 1
Conversions - Martin 3
Penalties- Martin 1

MOM- Matt Griggs

Benni Giglio, Stimmo, Shaun, Charlie Ward, Chris Brickett, Griggsy, Russ McKenzie, Spencer Burgess, Vaughn, Alex Whitesall, Chip Wood, Martin (2nd name to come), Jack Heather, Ben Crean, Rob Grant, Mikailo, Jack Edge, Sam Barnard,