Staggerers/Thirds beat Boro’ Vets 12-50 scoring 6 goals and two tries to one goal and one try.

This was an outstanding performance by Stags. We were lucky to win the toss and play with the wind in the first half – morale is always better when you are in front. On top of this luck was with us, as balls that would normally have gone to ground, stuck and Boro' were far from their ruthless aggressive best. In the setpiece Stags just about held their own against a much heavier Boro’ pack, but it was in the open play and at the breakdown that Stags won the game. Otherwise Stags only conceded ground when the Boro’ pack picked and drove.

I am not sure what order the tries came in but scores in the first half came thick and fast with Stags crossing the line five times, four of which were converted by Stuart Gramage. One try came from the pure comedy of Boro’ winger and Full back clattering into each other and falling over as they both tried to gather a high ball. Nevertheless Boro’ did fight back and following 2-3 penalties conceded by Stags scored under the posts. At half time, leading 33 -7 Stags were mildly confident they could hold the game, but were expecting a tough half into the wind.

Boro’, who thought they could at least capitalise on the continuing gale to close the gap, had the wind from knocked from their sails early on when Paul Butterfield loped down the touch line eluding several tackles to score near the corner.  The second half was less free flowing. Stags made several good breaks and Full Back Barnard covered the ground well hoovering up Boro's wayward kicking, however Stags were only able to cross the line twice more. Boro' were gifted their sole second half try, when fly half Firby Curtis hoofed the ball skyward from his 5m line only for the ball to be blown almost back over his head setting up a soft Boro’ try.  Stags last try under the posts gave Gramage an easy conversion to secure the half century just as the referee called no-side.

The referee was excellent, fair, clear, consistent and played lots of advantage, a real bonus for a third team game.

Try Scorers: Czech Dave 3 and a jug, Aussie Chris, Barnaby P, Butterfield, Graham P, Gramage