Stags 2's first game of 2008 was a tough fixture away to Mens Own 2's, a team who rarely travel, but had won 6 out of 7 in the league prior to this match. The Stags squad contained seven players under 20. Playing with a strong wind in the first half Stags were poor, kicking too long, dropping passes and making bad decisions. It looked like inexperience would cost them the game as Mens Own scored an early try out wide after a catalogue of Stags errors. The strong wind, resolute tackling and hooker Stimmo consistently winning ball going in a struggling scrum prevented Mens Own extending the lead. After 30 minutes Stags improved making some ground with forwards and backs combining well, but a missed penalty from in front of the posts and an unfortunate injury (broken leg)to South African flanker Vaughan Leonard summed up the first half.

Some strong words at half time and Stags came out a changed side. Playing into the wind they had to run the ball. Spencer Burgess led the forwards charge, ably supported by Chris Bickett. The ball was spread wide with winger Mikailo making good ground. This gave the young backs confidence to run. Mens Own kicked deep with fullback Edge counter attacking with support from his younger team mates (him being 19).

The Mens Own pack were starting to tire in the scrum, 18 year old Charlie Ward loose head and 42 year Old tighthead Spanner turned the screw with Stimmo winning more and more ball. It was with Stags on top that Mens Own scored against the run of play after a mistake in midfield.

Such an inexperienced side could easily have crumbled, but the score had the opposite effect, Jack Heather started winning ball on the ground and a pattern developed. Stags forwards picking and driving with the fast backs exploiting the quick ball. In Mens Own 22 scrum half Wilcox made a break round the fringes of a ruck, caught from behind he popped the ball to the supporting Burgess to flop over the line, making it 10-5. From the kick off Stags again worked the ball back to the Mens Own 22. The Mens Own Fly half kept kicking deep, but the Stags backs now had the bit between their teeth with Mikailo and Edge making big gains every time the received the ball. Fly half Bradley kept his head and started distributing the ball effectively mixing up the play. Big American 2nd Row Chris Bickett was the next to benefit from gound made by the backs with a pick and drive try from five yards to make it 10-10.

With 8 minutes to go Stags looked favourites to win, but Mens Own still had the strong wind. It was from turnover over ball on the Stags 10 metre line that the winning score came. Wilcox fed 18 year old Jack Heather who had found the right running line, he broke two tackles beat the full back and scored under the posts. The conversion was missed but by this stage Mens Own didn't look like scoring again and Stags were getting stronger and held on for an excellent hard earned win.

Stags young players stepped up to the plate, five of whom are in their first season of mens Rugby. Charlie Ward has improved immeasurably as a prop and Mikailo had his best game this season.

Having said that Stimmo won seven scrums against the head and for that alone wins MOM. Spencer and Spanner, the polar opposite to youngsters were invaluable putting the the team on the front foot.   

Special thanks to Graham Peigton for subbing the whole game and goog luck Vaughan

Tries- Burgess, Bickett, Heather
MOM Stimmo
Spanner, Stimmo, Charlie Ward, Chris Bickett, Matt Griggs, Spencer Burgess, Jack Heather, Vaughn Leonard, Nick Wilcox (Capt) Wayne Bradley, Sam Hart, Rob Grant, Sam Barnard, Mikailo, Jack Edge, Graham Peigton, Chris Durrant.