With only three games left and promotion beckoning Stags 2nd XV welcomed Northampton Casuals 2 XV to the racecourse in this 3rd v 2nd clash in the merit table. For Stags to attain promotion they needed to win this game convincingly (to gain a better points difference) and the last two games as well. Late cry off’s and injuries to a number of players meant most of Saturday morning was spent trying to get 15 players on the park and thanks must go to Tommy Mc for his help and playing as well!!
In the corresponding fixture earlier in the season Stags 2nds had beaten their opponents 0-30, but Casuals recent results and the team that turned up on Saturday were a very different prospect.
The game started with both sides trying to exert dominance in the forwards and for the first 10 minutes no side was taking control. However, the front row of Edwards, Curtis and Michael had other ideas and Curtis managed to steal 3 against the head. One of these balls was fed out through the backs to Dale Abblitt who decided to take on the Casuals backs, with great determination and strength he broke through a number of tackles to score. This was unconverted
5-0
The next try was a trade mark Dale Abblitt, fielding a high ball he again broke through the Casuals defence to score, which again was unconverted
10-0
The Stags lineout was beginning to function and with only one recognised jumper in James Turner was starting to cause problems for Casuals. From a Casuals throw in their own 22 Turner stole the ball off the top and the ball was sped through the hands to Abblitt who drew the cover before offloading to fellow centre Dan Sampson who hitting the line at pace burst through the desperate defence to score in the corner. The try was converted by stand in kicker for the day Joe Costello.
17-0
Stags were now controlling all aspects of the game and were playing some exciting rugby with great support and off loading in the tackle. The next try was again from a ball against the head which Tommy Mc picked and drove forward, from the ruck the ball was fed out to stand in fly half Charlie Cook (before you ask we ran everything just about!), he powered through the Casuals defence and looked like he was going to score until he was well tackled by the Casuals centre (their stand out player of the day). However, the ever present Turner was on hand to strip the ball and power over to score which Costello converted
24-0
Just before half time and from another lineout steal this time by Simon Price, John McCreadie kicked ahead and Dan Sampson collected and burst over to score his second try of the day, which went unconverted.
Half Time 29-0
The half time team talk was all about playing the same and with a couple of strategic substitutions, however Casuals had other ideas and shortly after kick off were exerting pressure on the Stags 22, a quick ball from their own scrum saw their centre burst through some weak tackling to score their first try of the day which was converted
29-7
This galvanised the Stags back into action and again they began to take control of the game and force the Casuals to commit penalties. From one penalty on the Casuals 22 Stags elected to run the ball and the ball was shipped through a number of hands before it was passed inside to Steve Chantler on the burst, beating the first line of defence he was eventually stopped just before the line but managed to offload to his 2nd row colleague Price who powered over to score. This was not converted.
34-7
From another penalty the ball was spun through the backs for Jimmy Anderson to score in the corner, which Costello converted.
41-7
Stags now had a lapse in concentration and at a ruck on their own 5 meter line; poor defending allowed the dangerous centre to crash over again which was not converted.
41-12
The next try was from a Casuals kick which was fielded and span out in the backs, Guy Podlubny playing at 15 for the day joined the line and created the overlap, outpacing the cover to score. Which went unconverted
46-12
Once again the Stags defence was caught asleep and from a loose ball the Casuals centre broke through and scored again, which was converted.
46-19
The next score was from a scrum on the Casuals 5 meter line, which the Stags won John McCreadie collected and fed Spencer Burgess who powered over to score
51-19
The game was now breaking down with both sides tiring but Stags were still in control and again the ball was fed through numerous hands eventually Burgess took an inside pass but instead of going for the line fed John Mcreadie who scored, which Costello converted.
58-19
The last score of the game was from a loose ball and again Stags surged up field, the ball was sped through a number of hands eventually ending up with hooker Ed Curtis who had been a thorn in Casuals side all day to score a deserved try. Costello converted.
Final Score: 65-19
It was rewarding to see Chris Curtis back on a rugby field after a number of years with a serious illness and we all look forward to seeing him and brother Ed back at the club on a regular basis.
2 Games to play (Oundle on the 10th April and Leighton Buzzard on the 17th) will all players please make yourselves available. These are MUST win games
Squad:
Edwards, Curtis E, Michael, Curtis C, Spanner, Griggs, Chantler, Price, Turner, Golightly, McCreadie T, Burgess, McCreadie J, Cook, Abblitt, Costello, Anderson, Podlubny
Stags 2nd Stats:
Played 19 games: won 14, lost 2, forfeit 3 (not enough players)
Scored: 81 Tries, 15 penalties and 43 conversions
Score For: 538, Score Against: 204
Top try scorer: Andy Walker 6 / James Turner 6 Greg Southgate 5
Top Points scorer: Nick Wilmer (75) Richard Ruddy (40)
No of players used: 73
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