The Stags welcomed Maidenhead to Dukes Meadows on another pleasant early autumn day, only marred by yet another train strike and more traffic chaos on the M25 and local roads …. but thankfully everyone turned up in good time and a great game was had!

Early exchanges showed the potential of a speedy Maidenhead back line, but the Stags defence held steadfast. Stags scored first on the five-minute mark though, Angus Low breaking through the centre of the opposition defence from the ten-metre line, and passing out to Luke Trigg in good support for the try under the posts. Al Mackenzie converted, 7-0 to the Stags. 4 minutes later Maidenhead converted a penalty in front of the posts, that their No. 10 slotted home. 7-3. Stags retorted with their own converted penalty three minutes later, once again Al Mackenzie slotting home to make the score 10-3. Another penalty to Maidenhead made the score 10-6 on the sixteen-minute mark. The opposition then applied the pressure to Stags, and following a 50-22 kick that ended up on our five-metre line, they caught and drove over at the line out for a try in the left corner. Converted successfully, Maidenhead take the lead, 10-13. On the 35-minute mark, it was Maidenhead’s turn to break through our line down the middle, and score just left of our posts. Converted by their No.10, the score stood at 10-20, which remained until the half ended (though Stags almost scored right on the cusp, but the final ball was deemed a forward pass).

Stags came out bristling second half. Home pressure took its toll after just six minutes with Maidenhead yellow carded for impeding. Stags took the scrum penalty on the opposition five-metre line, and drove through over the line with Mike Ozdilli latched onto the ball at No.8. (That was a good front row try – great to see!). More spectaculars at the conversion, the wind knocking the ball off the tee as Al Mackenzie was about to kick, but his quick thinking saw him pick up and drop goal the conversion from well out to the left! Stags back in the game – 17-20. Maidenhead then got a penalty in front of the posts at the 15-minute mark, which they converted to make he score 17-23. Daylight robbery then ensued, with Mike Ozdilli stealing opposition ball on their 22, and after being distributed left, Toby Eaton ran round to score under the posts. Converted successfully by Al Mackenzie, Stags now lead 24-23. Four minutes later, more Stags pressure and yet another interception on the half way line, sees the ball being kicked ahead for Parimal Shreshta to win the race against the opposition winger and run through for the score on the right. Another good conversion from the sidelines by Al sees the Stags 31-23 ahead. On the 25-minute mark, Maidenhead No. 12 got his second yellow of the match, and was subsequently red carded. Al Mackenzie kicked the subsequent penalty for three points, 34-23 now the score. Just past the half hour mark, Stags were stopped just short on the right, but channelled the ball along the line to the left with quick distribution, to see Luke Trigg pick up his second try. Al converted, 41-23 up for the Stags. Maidenhead then applied pressure for the last few minutes. Stags were yellow carded, and the opposition scrambled over a try from the maul just left of our posts, converting to make the score 41-30. And that is how the match finished.

A great performance by the Stags team. The five-match 2023-24 league break week sees CS Stags move up into 5th place in Level 5, Regional 1 South Central, with 16 points in hand (and a few bonus points to boot, with a plus 37 points difference). Good going indeed. Man of the match award (as chosen by Jake Farnworth (Assistant Coach and Hooker) – Mike Ozdilli (our captain and No. 8) – led from the front as captain, steadied the ship in the second half, and led us to a great victory. Special mentions – Toby Eaton, great impact when he came on. Luke Risman and Andrew Barton in the front row put in great shifts. Bertie Watson and Sam Miller in the back row, together with Oz, helped carry us forwards. Also, Alex Jones and Al Mackenzie, especially in the second half, leading us and controlling the game (plus Al definitely had his points kicking boots on today).

Tries (x5): Luke Trigg (x2), Mike Ozdilli, Parimal Shreshta, Toby Eaton.
Conversions (x5): Al Mackenzie
Penalties: (x2): Al Mackenzie

A big shout out to our second team, the Staghounds, who won away 19-71 at the Wasps FC ground against New Zealand Kiwi’s in their second Middlesex Merit Table premier League fixture earlier in the day. It was great to see many of the Staghound boys turn up and support the first team at Kings House afterwards. A very successful weekend for the Stags! Please bear in mind that although it is a rest week coming up, there will be training midweek, plus Staghounds play first round in the MMT Cup on Saturday 7th October, 12 p.m. kick off on AGP away, against Rosslyn Park IV’s. All support welcome, also an opportunity to watch Rosslyn Park v Chinnor in Level 3, National League 1 afterwards, and (most probably) to enjoy a few beers as well.