Streatham-Croydon 1st XV (29) – Stanford 1st XV (10) – Cup away lose
STANFORD kicked off and it was well placed as they started strong taking the game to their hosts. Stanford made the early ground and were awarded two penalties inside Streatham’s 22 but decided each time to kick for the attacking line out. Streatham’s defensive line held firm and repelled the attack. Having weathered the early storm Streatham started to get into the game and were awarded a penalty of their own which they took full advantage of and opened up the scoring after 18 minutes.
Straight after the restart and a moment in lapse of concentration Streatham’s winger powered his way down the line and touched down to score the first try of the day, which was easily converted.
Streatham started on the attack again but Stanford’s defensive pressure tolled as a rushed pass was fumbled and knocked on by Streatham but unseen by the official, Streatham made the most of their fortune and crossed the line again, converting. At half time the score read 17 – 0.
From the restart Stanford showed that they are no push over. Awarded a scrum in the Streatham half, Stanford’s scrum half Dominic McDonald threw an outrageous dummy pass and side stepped the next two attempted tackles only to be brought down a metre from the try line. As the forwards powered in to retain the ball it was Reece Anderson who used his strength to burst his way over the try line.
The next scoring opportunity came to as they managed to work the ball wide and broke through to score their third try of the day
Stanford had worked hard to get into the Streatham 22 and they were not about to give up the ground they had made. As Streatham tried to break free Chris Smith wrapped up the attack and the Stanford pack were there to support him. They turned over the ball and went forward and it was Chris Smith who was on hand to finish off a powerful play to score Stanford’s 2nd try and final points of the match.
Despite the final score favouring Streatham 29 – 10 Stanford can be pleased with their first outing of the season and take great encouragement for the coming season.
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Bury St Edmunds Ladies (22) – Stanford Ladies (69)
Stanford Sirens began their league campaign in perfect form notching up 11 tries away to Bury St Edmonds.
Despite having lower numbers and a few players plying their trade in new positions, the Red Ladies dominated in every area of the game. The Foxes pack had no answer to the lineout which laid a good platform for the backs to show some spark.
Captain Sophie Davies lead from the front winning each Stanford lineout and turning over more ruck ball than you can shake a proverbial stick at. Vice Debbie Walshe drove the pack forwards all game long. Grafters Heidi Rumble, Alayna French, both back from long breaks, bought physicality and the constant ball hunting skills of Amber Patience and Georgina Kreysa ruined any hope of green and yellow continuity.
The backs took full advantage of so much possession. First to cross was Sarah Bebbington whose personal tally totalled 4 tries by the final whistle. Equalled only by debutant Vicki Matthews on the wing who also scored 4 tries. Stephanie McIntosh crossed the white wash twice (and had one disallowed) and ‘make-shift prop’ Danielle Harris also dotted down. 9 and 10 combo Genevieve Beard and Kat Richardson controlled both attack and defence with composer and grace as ever. Mum and Daughter combo Lisa and Chloe Gounden were crucially solid in the tackle area.
Back of the match was Vicki Matthews for 4 tries and some crunching tackles
Forward of the match Georgina Kreysa for her relentless work rate
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Stanford u16s 27 – Romford U16s 14 – Home win
Stanford u16s played host to Romford U16s in the opening weekend of the league; previous meetings had seen these two sides have some very exciting and close games.
Stanford had started well in the scrums and the first few went their way keeping
Romford on the back foot. However it was Romford to draw first blood as they moved the ball wide and their fast winger jinked his way through and under the posts to give the visitors the lead 7 to nil.
It wasn’t long before Stanford were back on level pegging as Zack Burdett ran in on a perfect line and kept driving on towards the Romford lien. The forwards backed him up and after a few blocked attempts Jack Pidgeon picked up from the back of a ruck and stretched low to reach the line. Duligall stepped up and added the extra points with confidence.
Stanford used their kicking game to give them a slight edge as Burdett chased his own kick, the solid Romford full back once again was a match for the aerial bombardment but this time Burdett was all over him and a perfectly timed tackle and then immediate compete for the ball saw Romford concede a penalty right in front of the posts. Duligall was never going to miss from that range and the first entertaining half closed with Stanford just edging the battle 10 -7.
From the start of the 2nd half Stanford forwards battled forward and as the ball spun back and Jack Knight kicked cross field and the loose ball was scooped up by Rhys Dell who ran in under the posts, which Duligall converted to take Stanford 10 points clear of the visitors.
Romford were pumped up by conceding an early 2nd half try and came back at Stanford with a quality try of their own using their forwards and fast backs.
Converting the try brought Romford behind by only 3 points.
Just inside the Romford half Stanford again drove Romford back and Harvey Cassidy picked up at 8 and ran straight for the posts. As the forwards pressured the try line a slip of the ball gave Romford a defending scrum just metres out. Stanford’s pack was high in confidence and again they drove Romford off and this time they made it count through Jack Knight touching down. The conversion was the hardest so far and Duligall bounced his kick off the cross bar but it fell the wrong way.
Stanford were not done and some quick hands and good support play Stanford moved the ball wide to Dell who sprinted in over the line. The conversion was wide out and Duligall was just short.
The finals score favoured Stanford 27 – 14 but the game had been such a tight match it was hard not to congratulate both sides on such a fantastic, committed game.
