We welcomed Marlborough RFC for the very first time to Kings House Sports Ground Chiswick, and all credit to them for agreeing to play a 5 p.m. kick off, being the only available time slot due to a massive all day Tag Rugby tournament held at the ground, with 1,200 participating players. We christened the new 4G pitch in the corner at Kings House, though I am sure the photos will not do justice to the incredibly inclement weather conditions, black storm clouds, and sweeping torrential rain coming in at practically horizontal angles!

Marlborough elected for the posts on a penalty soon into the game, and opened the scoring 0-3. Three minutes in Marlborough were yellow carded for a high tackle. Stags took advantage and Emmet McDonnell drove over for a try following some good attacking pressure. No conversion, so 5-3 to Stags. Marlborough kicked off after the restart, and a mis-field by Stags allowed them to hit back straight away with a try of their own on the right. Converted, score now 5-10 to the away team. And that remained throughout the first half, see-saw attrition from both sides, but also battling the terrible conditions, where both succumbed to unforced errors and knock-ons with wet hands.

Stags then tucked the second half under their belt, and took control with three successive tries resulting from five-metre line outs, almost identical. Good catch and take at the line out, followed by highly effective control and driving towards the line in the right corner. Luke Risman was the first to go over. Jake Farnworth followed five minutes later. Both unconverted in the difficult conditions, score now 15-10 to Stags. The third five-metre line out catch and drive in sequence ended with Marlborough collapsing the maul, and Stags were awarded a penalty try by the referee. 22-10 up. (4 try bonus point clocked up). Around 25 minutes into the second half, Bertie Watson scored a magnificent individual try, kicking ahead from well behind the half way line, and then winning the sprint chase up the right to touch down in the corner. Unconverted, the score was 27-10 to the Stags, and this was how it remained till full time. The game was unfortunately marred right at the close, with an altercation that saw the referee red card the Marlborough scrum half.

Special Mentions: Congratulations to Liam Ward who made his first team Stags debut today, coming on as replacement at full back. But today’s accolades belong to the whole team and squad, both first and second teams (see their result below) who gave their all with 100% effort, purpose, and team spirit. Thanks to Barry Smith for running touch today, blowing up match balls before the game, and looking after today’s referee. Well done everyone, onwards and upwards the CS Stags!

Tries (x5): Emmet McDonnell, Luke Risman, Jake Farnworth, Bertie Watson, plus one Penalty Try.
Conversions (x1): Penalty Try

Match Result 21.10.23: London Welsh Druids 12 - CS Staghounds 41

Another excellent league match outing for the second team, beating London Welsh Druids away, who were sitting on top of the Middlesex Merit Table Premier League. Congratulations to Josh Policarpio, Luke Sterry, and Ed Dodd who made their second team debut today. A resounding victory at Old Deer Park, and once again, great spirit shown by the team in making their way back up the road to Kings House to support the 1st XV in the later kick off.