Pegasus 1st XV (29) – Stanford 1st XV (17)
STANFORD started well and used the ball to good advantage but tried too hard and made mistakes in the close giving soft turn over ball to the home side. Pegs scored first after Stanford pushed them back but again the last touch eluded them and the home side worked the ball wide to run across the try line. The conversion was good.
The next try again came from Pegasus after another turnover. Pegasus used the ball fast through the hands down the wing and full credit to them it was a very good flowing move however the last pass was forward but sadly this wasn’t seen and the try was given.
Despite constant requests to ensure the home side stayed behind the back foot Stanford’s appeals were not met with the required sanction until 28 minutes of played when Calum Reid scored Stanford’s first points of the day with a penalty kick.
The next try was Stanford’s after Pegasus broke free from their lines, strong defensive tackling by Jared Gounden and Ross Noakes made Pegasus spill the ball and it was Stanford’s Jordan Edwards who was first to react. Edwards fast feet and powerful hand offs saw him skip through the tackle attempts and dabbed the ball down for a try 3 minutes before half time.
With the half time score 12 -10 in favour of Pegasus, Stanford were forced to make a double change in the front row with Luke Tyson and Billy Smith coming off due to underlining injuries but were ably replaced by Daniel May and Sonny Smith.
Pegasus started the 2nd half much the stronger of the two sides and from a line out produced a very good rolling maul to score after 10 minutes. Pegasus had their tails up and was starting to play some technical rugby rather than just old fashioned smash up. They used their hands to good effect and shipped the ball wide with supporting numbers to cross the line for their fourth try. As Stanford waited for the conversion Chris Smith gave way to Aaron Payne due to injury.
Stanford were lacking urgency in their play but the 2nd try seemed to spur them on and from the off they played the ball in the way that we have come to know they can. The forwards supported the move and after three attempts to cross the line they made the white wash and touched the ball down on the line, but the try was not given as the official was positioned on the far side of play.
Aggrieved by the decision Stanford powered their way back towards the Pegs line. Again at the rucks the Pegasus defence was clearly offside and was eventually pinged. Stanford made the most of the decision and despite brave defending by their hosts Stanford forced their way over the line, with the try being given to Daniel May.
As the time ticked down a penalty was awarded to the home side in a kick able position and they took full advantage to close the game with a 29 -17 win. You make your own luck in a game of rugby and Stanford just made too many errors, it wasn’t a great spectacle of rugby but one side has to win and this time it just wasn’t the men in red.
Stanford’s Man of the match Luke Tyson
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Canvey 2s (38) – Stanford 2s (0)
Stanford 2nds came up second best to a very strong Canvey 2nd string side. To compound the drumming Stanford also collected a number of injuries and were struggling to keep a playable 15 on the pitch during the game. Depsite the setback Stanford 2s battled for all their might but weren’t rewarded for their efforts.
Romford u12’s (20) – Stanford u12s (25)
A great game of rugby played by two strong battling sides. Both teams played some very exciting rugby and gave their full commitment to the game. Stanford’s scorers were Chazzer, Alfie, Charlie G and Izzie (2).
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Romford u11s (20) – Stanford 11s (0)
Bancroft u11s (5) – Stanford u11s (10)
Stanford u11s travelled to Romford RFC to play a round robin which included Romford and Bancroft. Stanford’s first game against their hosts was a hard game but the stronger side showed the dominance and Romford won score 4 tries to nil.
Stanford’s 2nd game against Bancroft was a different affair with the boys and girl of Stanford playing some very good rugby. An entertaining game finished up with Stanford edging the tight game 2 tries to one. Overall the day for Stanford was a great success with 5 new players in the side the team is building into a strong unit.
