Read below, or open the attached PDF to read in technicolour. Open Media/Abums for "Tunbridghe Wells away 20.12.25" to enjoy the photos. Have a great Christmas and New Year everyone!

Match Report - Saturday 20 December 2025

Stags celebrate Christmas with a cracker!

Tunbridge Wells RFC 12 - CS Stags 1863 14

The CS Stags 1863 travelled by train to Tunbridge Wells RFC, where the hosts laid on a splendid charity Christmas lunch, along with appropriate rugby themed lines for each verse of ‘Twelve days of Christmas’, and where every table had to spring up to their feet to sing their given lines. Our President’s table were given fifth day “Five points today!” - but it was the away side that walked away with four points at the end of the day.

The Stags had an encouraging start, and kept play in the middle of the field. Although the pack had some very early wobbles right at the beginning, they soon righted themselves, settled in, and were out-mauling and driving the heavier Wells pack in the second half. When the Stags did attack, they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts after 8 minutes, and Xavier Hill playing at 10 today, slotted home for a 0-3 lead. Wells then broke through on 15 minutes for an opportunistic try. There were murmurings around the ground after the conversion attempt, as both touch judges seem to hesitate with half raised flags, which were then redacted by the referee as a missed attempt. (Our touch judge was duly awarded “dick of the day” at post-match awards for this notable howler!). 5-3 to Wells now the score.

Soon after that another penalty opportunity arose for Stags on 20 minutes, left angle to the post mid pitch, and once again Xavier Hill was called up to slot it home, duly obliging. Repeat again five minutes later, another penalty kick to Stags, and the same result ensued. The rest of the half was a dour, muddy, midfield battle, with the Stags more than holding their own, and adding the odd breakaway and hard chase that just fell short of scoring a couple of times. The boys therefore took a 5-9 lead into half time.

The second half started with more of the same. Individual Wells breaks that were held up with fine defensive cover by the Stags. Xavier Hill left the field after a head injury, with Will Tyrrell stepping into the No. 10 slot. With Ash Thomas at centre constantly involved in charging the Wells defence throughout the game, a break opened for a Stags attack to take them up to the Wells five metre line. A breakdown penalty was awarded to the Stags, and it was Tom Hollidge who surprised the Wells defence with a quick pick up and drive over the line for the try on 53 minutes. A good conversion attempt bounced back off the left upright, but Stags were now 5-14 ahead, with their tails up.

Another hard blow for the away side followed, with Morgan Davies at loose head prop leaving the field with a suspected damaged cheek bone. But the determined Stags defence still continued to shine, and held back the Wells attacks. Eventually on 69 minutes, Wells did grab another opportunistic score after a quick break along the right touch, for a try in the corner. Unconverted, the score hovered on 12-14 for what seemed like an aeon (as well as to the rapidly ageing Stags support present)! The final whistle almost came as a complete surprise to the stunned crowd, with obvious jubilation amongst the Stags team, that had pulled off a great and classic away win.

Well done to coach Oli Bryant, and all the Stags team, squad, physios, for this fine Christmas present win in gritty style! There are a few special mentions that need to be made though. Pantelis Stylianou, captain for the day, led with true example and stepped up from the front, with his drives into the opposition pack, and choice decisions to take the points at goal when given. The whole of the back line drew admiration today, not least generous credits from the home support, for their outstanding tackling and defence. Ash Thomas laboured like a tireless workhorse marshalling the back line, endeavouring to find a gap in the opposition defence. Xavier Hill for his kicking and tackling. Parimal Shreshta had a blinder at full back. The whole pack stepped right up to the mark. Congratulations to Jez Nicholson-Kelly and Jack Gregson for their first team debuts off the bench today. And lastly special mentions to the injured players who turn up week after week to assist Oli and the team on match days, and help out with any given tasks, and to assist and encourage the players – I am calling out the likes of Luke Bowden and Josh Polycarpio in particular.

Tries: 5 points (x1) –Tom Hollidge - Conversions: Nil
Penalties: 9 points (x3) – Xavier Hill

No Staghounds 2nd XV game today to report on –the Gauchos ROC London Shield league is being reorganised post-New Year to go into the second round matches, followed by top 4 and bottom 4 mini leagues after that. Latest League tables attached for both the 1st XV & 2nd XV.

Have a super Christmas and New Year everyone!

No Staghounds 2nd XV game today to report on –the Gauchos ROC London Shield league is being reorganised post-New Year to go into the second round matches, followed by top 4 and bottom 4 mini leagues after that. Latest League tables attached for both the 1st XV & 2nd XV.

Next match: Saturday 10th December 2025. CS Stags 1863 are away to Hammersmith & Fulham Rugby Club - Hurlingham Park, London SW6 3RH – 2.00 p.m. kick off.

Links:
1st XV fixtures, results, table:
https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?competition=261&division=66524&season=2025-2026#fixtures
2nd XV Staghounds fixtures, results, table:
https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?division=67754&competition=1729&season=2025-2026#results

Club pages on Pitchero, Facebook, LinkedIn:
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/civilservicefootballclubru/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/civilstags
https://www.linkedin.com/company/66883452/admin/page-posts/published/