Stanford 1st XV (26) – Billericay 1st XV (15)
STANFORD came out charging and after two every early chances went begging it was Alistair MacDonald who crossed the Billericay line to score with Calum Reid adding the extra two. Stanford didn’t have to wait long for their next try when Ricky Damm went over after good forward set up. Reid was accurate once again.
Stanford was attacking at every opportunity but as they pushed on the last pass was lacking the final execution. For a good half an hour the two sides battled away neither being able to make the most of the ball. However it was Stanford once again that found themselves crossing the try line when Liam Morley playing at 8 picked up from the back of the scrum and launched a driving run barging his way over, despite very close attention from the Billericay defence. Reid was again inch perfect taking the score to 21 – 0 and that is how it remained till half time.
The second half Stanford knew Billericay would come back at them and they did. Stanford was made to defend their lines constantly for the first 12 minutes but the pressure tolled and Billericay crossed the line for their first try. From the kick off Stanford found themselves again defending but as they stood firm Billericay where penalised. Stanford wasted no time with a quick tap penalty, the ball was passed to Kye Holloway who weaved his way through the slowly retreating back line and sprinted for the score.
Billericay had their heads up and kept were piling on the pressure after the restart. Inching ever nearer Billericay were awarded a penalty and decided to kick for a lineout. The Billericay throw hit its mark and they bundled over for their 2nd try of the game. As the game drew nearer the final whistle Stanford were defending strongly and frustration from the visitors could be heard. Only minutes from the end the frustrations boiled over and what had been a very good clean game resulted in Stanford receiving a red card when Daniel May, one of Stanford’s prop had been deemed to have been careless with his feet placing. Stanford now down to 14 men had to defend even harder but Billericay managed to make the extra man count and scored their 3rd and final try on the stroke of full time.
Stanford’s man of the match was soon to be father Billy Smith.
With the final whistle came the end to Stanford’s 1st season in Essex One. Overall a very positive season showing that Stanford can compete at this level and with a very young first and a good number of talented players coming through the outlook is very good. Stanford 1st XV now turn their attentions to the Presidents Shield and the Semi-final at Stanford Rec on Saturday 9th April.
Writtle 2nd XV (21) – Stanford 2nd (44)
Stanford 2s took a very well deserved win in the cup against opposition two leagues higher on Saturday. Stanford dominated for long spells of the game and the young Stanford players showed their pace and ability when it mattered. They now move into the semi- finals and are looking to continue their cup run.
Epping and Upper Clapton u16s (40) – Stanford u16s (27)
Stanford learnt a lesson about finishing on Sunday, all the possession but they just couldn’t finish the moves. A strong team performance by all the lads and in the true spirit as well as guidelines of the youth game Stanford provided players to Epping and Upper Clapton to make sure the sides stayed level in playing numbers.
The Stanford players did feel that some of the decisions as they attacked didn’t go their way but full credit to EUC they made the most of their opportunities and took a 17 – 0 lead at half time.
A re grouping at half time and Stanford were a different side. Attacking down the flanks rather than through the two EUC strong centres Stanford started to score tries through Ross Gale, Rhys Dell, Harvey Cassidy, Ben Kelly, and Jamie Wooffitt. There were several opportunities for Stanford to complete more scores had it not been for the last minute pass that just went astray. A good solid performance overall but Stanford just need to shore up the defence and the results will definitely be reversed. Most certainly the result did not reflect the game.
Stanford u12’s win silver ware.
A great day out for the boys and girls of Stanford u14s when they came away with a well-earned 4th place at the Romford RFC festival. The boys and girls battled hard all day long and were over joyed at winning a trophy to show for their efforts, well done to all the players and coaches.
