Huntingdon & District Rugby

The stakes were certainly high. Stags were certainly licking their lips at doing the double over St Ives and overtaking  them in the league. Confidence in their ability was warranted, as Stags toppled their neighbours St Ives 26-21 at the Racecourse in their final league match of the season.

Playing in front of the biggest crowd for some time and with a blustery wind at their back in the first half, Stags were on the score board first with a penalty goal to Joe Hicken.

With Ives trying to run the ball out from deep in their territory, solid defence from stags forced a turnover which Richard North hacked through to the goal line then touched down for the first try of the afternoon which was converted by Hicken.

Despite playing with very little ball in the first half, the home sides defence continued to impress and they were rewarded with a second penalty goal to Hicken.

As the sides headed for oranges Stags had a 13-0 lead, but were surely wondering if it was more than a 13 point wind. A strong start to the second stanza and an early score were going to be critical.

The first 10-15 minutes of the second half were very impressive. Jed Adkins entered the game and a big carry, followed by a trademark Adkins lay-down, earned Stags a penalty which Hicken duly converted.

Stags continued to press and further penalties saw a good opportunity from a five metre lineout where Subway man of the match Rory Parker pushed and barged and shunted his way over in the corner to take the lead out to 21-0.

On the sixty minute mark Parker was at it again, outmuscling the larger visiting pack to dot down his second. The lead was now at 26-0 and Stags were comfortably in the driving seat.

Up until the 65 minute mark, Stags defence had been largely faultless, but then the floodgates opened just wide enough to give Ives a sniff. Perhaps it was the one side tackle count, or fatigue setting in, or maybe it was actually more than a 13 point wind after all, but Ives ran in three converted tries to snatch a losing bonus point. Final score 26-21.

Leading leader Coach Leader was ecstatic with the result, saying “I am ecstatic with the result.

“We certainly had the audacity to believe we could beat them – some of the boys were even bleating about how easy it is against them.

“It clearly wasnt easy, it was a tough and physical game in difficult conditions and we put in the better shift so deserved the win.

“My challenge to the boys before the game rise to the challenge and show them what we are truly capable of and finish the season off on a high. We certainly didn’t roll over” concluded Leader.

Captain Wayne Bradley praised the defensive effort, saying, “I am sure there will be a few sore bodies in the morning, a lot of big collision happened out there but we managed the gain line the best and that was probably the difference.

“While it was disappointing to concede a few at the end, the result itself I would’ve bitten your hand off before the game.

“It was a great day for the club, a classic Presidents Day. Good result, lots of rugby played and a big crowd entertained. Full credit to President Ramps – he is a farmer and club man of the highest order” concluded Bradley

Stags now have the Papa John’s cup to look forward to – Tank is licking his lips already – Stags are due to play Bedford Swifts away next Saturday but rearranged league fixtures for Swifts mean it is still up in the air at the time of writing.