Sat 6 Jan 2024, 14:15
Match Report by Matt Griggs (Scoop Muggeridge is away)
Stags started 2024 as they mean to go with a comfortable win against a game Bedford Swifts side. In what should have been a home fixture, but due to flooding at the Racecourse was switched to Bedford, Stags were keen to avenge what was a comprehensive defeat on their previous visit to Swifts back in September last year.
In truth, this is a vastly different Stags side now from that which gave Swifts one of only two victories this season in the previous fixture, not so much in personnel but more in playing style and cohesiveness, as the time spent on the training paddock is being transferred to the Saturday afternoon performances on a regular basis.
Although there were some signs of rustiness and perhaps some festive overindulgence was evident in the opening exchanges, Stags soon settled to their task and skipper Bradley, fresh from a Christmas visit to the homeland, received a reverse pass from Skidmore and galloped away to open the scoring after 10 minutes, although if Joe Hicken’s letter to Santa included a request for kicking boots, there was no sign of them here with the conversion missed.
Two further scores from Owain Collard and Jamie Gunn, one of which converted by Hicken, before the halftime oranges saw Stags turnaround with a 17-0 lead.
After the break, Stags looked to pick up where they left off, quickly securing the bonus point with the first of a double from Barnie West, both finished in his typical all-action style, extending the lead to 29 points before the dogged Swifts side got on the board with a score of their own.
Two further tries from Stags completed the scoring, the first scored by Bodge Saunders after a clean break from Collard, no less than his performance on the day deserved, and the final try of the day from stalwart Richard North, who scampered away down the touchline to finish in style.
All in all, a pleasing start to the New Year and a good pipe opener before the clash next week with unbeaten league leaders Stewarts & Lloyds.
Lastly, all at Stags are very grateful to the Chairman and committee at Bedford Swift for agreeing to host the game at short notice, helping us to avoid a potential fixture pile up down the stretch.
5-0 Try: Bradley conv missed
10-0 Try: Collard conv Hicken
17-0 Try: Gunn conv missed
22-0 Try: West conv missed
29-0 Try: West conv Hicken
29-7 converted try Swifts
36-7 Try: B Saunders conv Hicken
43-7 Try: North conv Hicken
