Stanford 1sts (13) vs. Braintree 1sts (51)
PUT fifteen players in front of a Stanford side and they will battle to the end, this was no different on Saturday, Braintree visited the Rec and Stanford gave their all.
It’s fair to say that Braintree took a deserved win, they scored more tries, yet Stanford played good rugby, there was areas that the game plans needs tightening up in but remembering this is the first season in Essex 1 they have come along way so far and will only get better.
Stanford scored two very good strong tries one in each half. The first was a determined powerful effort by the forwards. Excellent pressure was put on the Braintree try line and the constant effort again and again kept the visitors scrambling to repel the attack. Dominic McDonald was marshaling the eight men well and when the time came he was able to dart in under the standing Braintree defense.
Within three minutes of the second half starting Calum Reid slotted a good penalty kick despite the strong winds.
Stanford’s second try came from a solid scrum just inside their own half. Liam Morley picked up at the base of the scrum swotted off the attempted bindside flanker’s attempt at a tackle and made short work of the next Braintree cover. Morley had made many meters into the Braintree half when Nick Sharp sprinted in support. Morley flipped the pass into Sharp’s path who made good use of his speed and skirted around the next Braintree tackler. The next tackler saw Sharp step and spin inside and sprint to the try line.
Braintree scored 9 tries to Stanford’s 2 during the game but the persistent style in which Stanford went about their work and made Braintree work for the win was in it self positive, the final score 13 – 51.
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Stanford u12s (40) – Thurrock u12s (10)
Stanford U12’s played at home today against Thurrock. In the first game Stanford started well scoring four tries without reply. Second half with Stanford running into a strong wind Thurrock scored twice as did Stanford. Final score 6 : 2 Second game was a closer affair with Stanford scoring twice throughout the game without reply from Thurrock. Special mention to Hayden Heighway for player of the day. Continually tackling all in front of him. Great effort Stanford 8 v thurrock 2 1 Josh Early 3 Micheal Onilogbo 1 Jerome Sagomba 2 Charlie Baker 1 Daniel Hook
