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CS Stags 1863 40 – Wimbledon RFC 24
Acknowledgement and credits to Shell Oliver for sharing her photos – her full portfolio for the game against Wimbledon can be enjoyed on this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/jkFMFQkjxZHEmDbN6

Both teams lined up respectfully on the AGP at the start, flanking the referee Mr. Ben Stewart, and bowed in a minute’s silence to remember those that fought and lost their lives, to save ours, in two World Wars.

It was the usual pacey start to the match, both teams with attacking opportunities. Stags broke the deadlock on 10 minutes, with Xavier Hill finding a gap and racing through to touch down under the post. David Wilkinson converted, 7-0. Wimbledon fought back hard, and camped on our line for a few minutes. However, they had to settle for a penalty in front of the posts, to peg back 7-3. Back came the Stags, this time after several drives and breakdowns close to the line, Josh Policarpio did his burrowing act under a host of Wimbledon defenders, to score left of the posts on 20 minutes. Unconverted, 12-3 now the score. The pendulum continued to swing, and eighteen minutes later it was Wimbledon who once again added to their score with a try on 38 minutes. Converted, they were now just two points behind on 12-10. Not a half time score that Stags relished, so just before the half ended, Kain Rix ploughed his way to the line for a try, and with Wilkinson converting, the half time whistle blew, with CS 19-10 up.

Credit to Wimbledon who kept battling and attacking hard, coming back just three minutes into the second half with another converted try, their left winger rounding the defence to score under the posts. 19-17, and all to play for. But the Stags were up to it and did not capitulate, hitting back with two killer blow tries. First a consolidated and well supported drive up field, and with the backs piling in at the rear of the maul towards the Wimbledon line, Jake Farnworth surged over the line on 58 minutes. The second try was on 70 minutes, with a well-supported attacking break through the middle, which saw prop James Fraser receive the final pass to round the defence for a clear score. Both tries converted by Wilkinson, the score now stood 33-17. Although Wimbledon got a converted try back on the 73 minute mark, Stags had the final say on 80 minutes, with winger Henry Sweet rounding clear of the defence to score under the post on his debut, and David Wilkinson nailing his fifth conversion. Final score, 40-24.

Congratulations to Kyle Williams and Henry Sweet on their 1st XV debuts, and I think this is the first time Tom Booker has started the match as well. Another pretty solid Stags performance, and they found the resilience and hunger to dig in against a pretty determined Wimbledon side, who were no pushovers. Well done boys.

Tries: 30 points (x6) –Xavier Hill, Josh Policarpio, Kain Rix, Jake Farnworth, James Fraser, Henry Sweet.
Conversions: 10 points (x5) – David Wilkinson.
Penalties: Nil

The CS Staghounds 2nd XV away game against Ampthill 1881 (II’s) was called off, and shall be re-arranged for a later date.

It’s a break week in Regional 1 South Central next weekend, and therefore no 1st XV match. However, for the GAUCHOS ROC London Shield league, the Staghounds are due to play their rescheduled fixture from 25th October, against Barnes RFC (II’s) at home – rescheduled to this coming Saturday, 15th November 2025, Kings House School Sports Ground, Riverside Drive, W4 2SP. Kick off time 2 p.m. – (to be confirmed later). Please also read the note on this site about the roadworks and traffic lights in place on Riverside Drive throughout November, if arriving by road.

** Autumn Internationals are in full swing, and I hope you are enjoying them. We still have just four (seated together) England v Argentina tickets available for 16.10 kick off at the Allianz Twickenham, Sunday 23 November 2025 – if anyone interested, please let me know a.s.a.p. **

David Chaytor: dchaytor@virginmedia.com Tel: 07976 609 081