The Stags travelled by train down to play Havant RFC on their AGP. A large crowd was present, mainly due to a Havant former players association lunch that was arranged for the fixture. Conditions were overcast, with intermittent heavy showers and squalls. Not a great start, as Emmet McDonnell pulled up injured during the warm up, and our travelling 19 came into play in the shape of Mike Ozdilli.

It took five minutes for Havant to open the scoring with a try, having missed a previous kickable penalty. The ball was channelled out to the right, with their try scorer running a good line to break our defence in the corner. Converted, Havant go 7-0 up. Then nine minutes in, our winger Parimal Shreshta was taken off and replaced, having been concussed in a front-on tackle. Stags came back nicely in the twelfth minute, winning a five-metre scrum on the left, and in subsequent breakdown play our fly half Luke Bowden jinked himself a gap through the Havant defence to score on the left. Unconverted, score now 7-5. Around eighteen minutes in Havant scored again on the left after concerted pressure on our flank. Unconverted, 12-5 the score to the home team. Havant added a penalty in front of the sticks on the 27-minute mark, to go 15-5 up. Just before the half ended, Cam Thomas then successfully kicked a penalty to put us back in the mix at 15-8.

Great start to the second half by the Stags! Luke Bowden intercepted on the right in our own 22, and ran the length to score under the posts for his second try of the match. Converted by Cam Thomas, Stags were now level at 15 apiece. Could this be the turning point for Stags? Unfortunately, not to be. Havant camped on our line for a bit, eventually driving over in the 9th minute of the second half for a try and conversion in the right corner. 22-15. A series of penalties gave Havant numerous five-metre line out opportunities, and they capitalised again after Angus Low was yellow carded 25 minutes into the half, driving over for another try in the right corner. Converted, 29-15 to Havant. The home team ran in another try four minutes later through the centre, and went 36-15 up after the successful conversion. Stags did try very hard to hit back and take advantage of the Havant second row being yellow carded on the 32nd minute for a high tackle. Several attempts camped on the Havant line in the last ten minutes just fell short though, and the game ended Havant 36 – CS Stags 15.

You could see why Havant are currently top of the table, as they are persistent and dogged in their play. However, some noteworthy good defence by the Stags prevented a much greater margin, and earnt due respect with the opposition today. The combined teams ‘duelling sing song’ in the Havant downstairs bar afterwards brought home the joy of rugby spirit! Thanks again to the former players, family, and supporters who turned up – so good to see you all. There’s even a photo of a certain grand-daughter in the stands, with a remarkable resemblance to our club Secretary!

Man of the match award (as chosen by Oli Bryant (Head Coach) – Luke Bowden (No. 10) – he played really well today, and when we had the ball, Luke played us into the right areas of the pitch in often terrible conditions. Special mentions – Will Barker and Zinny Norman were also very impressive today. Tough loss, but on we go to face Tunbridge Wells at home next week.

Tries (x2): Luke Bowden (x2)
Conversions (x1): Cam Thomas
Penalties: (x1): Cam Thomas

A big shout out to our second team today, the CS Staghounds, who played a league match away at the Rock in Roehampton, beating Rosslyn Park B’s 5-60. This takes them up to 4th place in the Premier League, Middlesex Merit Table, having played four games so far. Well played Staghounds! If anyone can’t make it to the first team away matches, do come down and support our Staghounds in any of their games in the London/Middlesex area. The Staghounds MMT fixtures and dates are readily available on websites and our social media, and you shall be made most welcome.