London Welsh RFC came down the road from Kew Gardens today to Riverside Drive, and we welcomed them and their large group of supporters to Dukes Meadows for the return league match in Regional 1, South Central. A decent turn out as well for our club pre-match Christmas lunch, with former players, supporters, sponsors, and visiting dignitaries enjoying some good company and Christmas fare. Great to see some old faces!

A great start from the Stags in the first few minutes, a ruck on the half way line leading to a good subsequent quick drive downfield, where Jake Farnworth at hooker picked up and charged through the Welsh defence for a try. No conversion, 5-0 to the Stags. Stags then showed off some of their renowned defence for a sustained period of Welsh pressure next ten minutes. But just as we thought they had cleared their lines, Welsh managed to break through with their big No. 5 searing through our lines for a try. Converted, Welsh now take the lead 5-7. Welsh then added to their tally on the twenty-minute mark, winning a line out on the right, and distributing the ball quickly along the line for their left winger to run through for the try. Converted once again, Welsh lead 5-14. But Stags were not for capitulating, and came right back with an immediate repost, and in style. A penalty win sees Stags kick for territory, and then follow with an excellent catch and drive from the Welsh 22 right through to the try line, Jake Farnworth with ball in hand at the back of the drive. John Hargreaves converts, 12-14 now the score. This was followed ten minutes later with another quick-thinking Stags score. Penalty advantage following a line out on the right, which sees Alex Jones cut through with a rapid tap and go, and feed out to Liam Ward to race through from his wing for the try. No conversion by Stags, who hold onto their lead and go into the break 17-14 up.

It took just eight minutes into the second half for a determined Stags to turn the screw. Another five-metre line out win, good catch and drive, this time Josh Policarpio bustling over the line for the try. John Hargreaves converts, score now 24-14 to the Stags. Twenty minutes in Stags win a good five metre scrum, and a set movement comes off well, with the ball relayed out to midfield for Luke Trigg to run a good cutting line inside from his wing, and score just right of the posts. John Hargreaves converts, Stags go 31-14 up. London Welsh were then stunned into action, and six minutes later managed a good break from beyond the half way line, with nice lines run, and swift hands, for their winger to score under the posts. A hurried drop-goal conversion attempt was missed, and the score was now 31-19. Stoic Stags defence saw through the last ten minutes, with intense Welsh pressure. Two yellow cards in the dying minutes for Stags saw us down to thirteen men, but the defence held firm, and CS Stags ran out 31-19 winners at the final whistle.

Summary: A truly fantastic win by the Stags, with a count of 5 tries to 3. It was an extremely well disciplined and determined performance by the Stags, and their resolve, work rate, and commitment shone through. This total team performance today was a fantastic Christmas present to the club as a whole! It takes Stags up to 6th in the table at the festive season break with 35 points, and an overall positive +/- of 49 points.

Man of the match award (as chosen by Oli Bryant (Head Coach) – John Hargreaves (10) – John marshalled the troops excellently today, and kept control of direction. Special mentions: Emmet McDonnell (13) and Will Sherwood (12) were brilliant in the midfield today, and Zinny Norman (7) had another fantastic game in the back row. But credit to the whole team for a great performance.

Tries (5): Jake Farnworth (x2), Liam Ward, Josh Policarpio, Luke Trigg – 25 points
Conversions (3): John Hargreaves – 6 points

Our CS Staghounds second team shone today as well! A 12 p.m. kick off at Wasps Seconds in the quarter final of the Middlesex Merit Table Cup Competition, saw a Wasps team turn up at Twyford Avenue W3 with greatly depleted playing numbers. The game went ahead as per competition rules, so all credit for that. The game was called at 40 minutes, and Staghounds ran out winners 3-80 to progress to the semi-finals. Well done for getting the game done lads, and seeing it through.