Stanford 1xt XV (51) – Ongar (10) home win
Stanford 1st XV get revenge for the earlier season loss.
Conditions were perfect for rugby and Stanford were mentally ready for this return leg against Ongar who had taken the win earlier in the season.
Ongar started the game and Stanford failed to catch the ball but managed to secure it from the loose play. Steadying the play Stanford moved the ball wide to winger Matt Greenhill who set off towards the Ongar line. With the opposition closing in ahead of him Greenhill chose to kick on.
The ball just stopped short of the Ongar try line but with good chasing pressure the Ongar defence was forced to carry back over for a Stanford Scrum. Dominic McDonald at Scrum half stepped sideways opening the Ongar defence, Troy Elkes was first to McDonald’s aid picking up the ball and diving over for Stanford to open the scoring after 3 minutes of play. Matt Greenhill hit a good conversion which bounced off the cross bar and dropped over to add the extra two points.
Captain Matt Rumble was the next to cross the Ongar line after another tight move from the Stanford pack. Sonny Smith had started the move off with a charging run making plenty of metres towards the Ongar line. Stanford kept the ball in tight with Rumble at the back of the ruck as Morley stepped in and drove Rumble over the line.
Stanford was now putting Ongar under pressure but whilst trying to keep Ongar penned back they conceded a penalty. Ongar went to clear their lines but as the kick didn’t go to touch Greenhill caught and then set off across the pitch. Gounden was on hand to link up with Greenhill and then held up his tackler to off load onto Morley who crossed the line for his 1st try of the day.
Gounden was in good form at fly half distributing ball and varying the attacking play, with Stanford moving the ball across the pitch Gounden changed the attack with a reverse cross field kick which Matt Rumble rose high above the opposition to catch. Rumble then gave the ball back to a chasing Gounden who sprinted across the Ongar line.
Keeping Ongar pushed back Stanford kicked to the corner. At the Ongar lineout Stanford applied pressure and forced the visitors to carry back over and touch down. At the Stanford 5 metre scrum McDonald saw the opportunity to go blind but was held by the Ongar flanker. Somehow McDonald fought to off load and passed out to Jared Gounden who popped to a flying Morley for his 2nd of the game.
Stanford had control over the game and if anything could have been further ahead if not for some dogged defence on Ongar’s part and final errors made by Stanford. As the half drew to a close Stanford were again camped inside the Ongar’s 5 metre area. A Stanford knock on gave Ongar the chance to clear but Sonny Smith supported by the pack turned the ball back Stanford’s way, as the ball popped out loose from the scrum Ricky Percival was first to react and smashed his way over the Ongar line for his Debut try for Stanford 1st XV. Stanford led their visitors 32 – 0 at half time.
Ongar are far too good a side to assume they were beaten and from the start of the 2nd half they pressurised Stanford pushing them back towards their own line. Stanford was now forced to defend for a large part of the first 10 minutes. Despite the determined Ongar efforts Stanford regained control and Matt Rumble finished off an excellent flowing move as Stanford moved the ball fast up field to open the 2nd half scoring.
The 2nd half was not all Stanford’s way but they most certainly made the most of their opportunities. With a scrum awarded to Stanford on the Ongar 22 metre line Gounden received the ball and shaped to pass out to his centres but showed and stepped the oncoming defence and with fleet of foot side stepped his way straight across the Ongar try line. Matt Greenhill added the extra two points.
Stanford should have known not to relax or think Ongar were beaten as the visitors worked a very good try of their own to grab their first points.
With the game drawing to a close Morley came up with a piece of play that was quite magical. Just on the half way line Morley with ball in hand fended off two Ongar tackles then straightening his line of run down the wing he kicked a head. The ball bounced in field and over the Ongar try line, it was then a foot race between Morley and the Ongar Defence, which Morley won giving Stanford their 9th try of the day and Morley his hat trick.
Ongar closed the game on the last whistle with a 2nd try and the game closed out 51 – 10 in favour of Stanford. Stanford awarded two players of the day Dominic McDonald for his control and pace of the game and Captain Matt Rumble for his unbelievable work rate and leadership.
Stanford u15s (10) – Basildon u15s (40) away loss
On a heavy going pitch this was always going to be a draining game. The big difference between the home side and the visiting Stanford team was their wingers. Once Basildon had got the ball out wide Stanford didn’t have an answer for the pace. Some games you get the rub of the luck and others you don’t but with no time to use the ball through the Stanford back because of constant pressure from Basildon, if it’s not called offside then it’s not, Stanford just couldn’t get into their flow. An excellent try was scored by Harvey Cassidy from the back of a scrum and Marcus Edgeway also used his power and strength to find a way across the Basildon try line. A competitive game for most part which Basildon won fair and square but Stanford can hold their heads high as their discipline was unquestionable and they were gracious in defeat. Stanford’s player of the day was a tough call but was awarded to Marcus Edgeway for his never give up attitude.
