Stags Green Army travelled away to Northampton Casuals, with near perfect conditions and arguably their strongest squad of the season, the scene was set for good game of code.

From the kick off, Stags made inroads deep into Casuals territory with a sustained attack but resolute defence from the hosts saw several opportunities go begging. On the ten minute mark, from an unlikely looking position, Owain Collard jinked his way through the defence to score by the posts. Joe Hicken kicked the extras.

Stags were quickly back onto attack, but an errant pass from Collard was intercepted by the Casuals scrum half who scampered 70 meters untouched to score. The conversion was missed, but the over the top celebration from the hosts merely spurred encouraged Stags to go harder.

With a pack weighing well in excess of 900kg, the catch and drive was always going to be a weapon, and from a five meter lineout Nick Saunders crashed over to extend Stags lead. Hicken was unsuccessful with the conversion from wide out.

With five minutes to go in the half, veteran hooker Seth Muggeridge rolled back the years to score in the corner for the second week running, in what the travelling supports described as a “breath taking” and “scintillating” try. Hicken added the extras to give stags a 19-5 lead.

From the kick-off, Casuals number eight took out skipper Wayne Bradley and was sent for a ten minute rest by the referee. Only moments later the Casuals scrum half was also sent to the bin for stomping on a stags player. He did not celebrate that as much as his try!

In several matches this season Stags have taken their foot of the gas in the second half, but that was certainly not the case today. Stags kicked off to start the half, and the return kick was fielded by collard who evaded several would be defenders to score his second. The conversion was missed, but Stags now had a bonus point and almost certain victory.

Wade Schoeman, on Stags debut, looked for all money to score but got his lines mixed up and dotted down on the five meter line. He made amends soon after from a lineout drive to score his first try.

Stags next score came from a Hicken line break. He was chopped down five meters out but managed to get an offload to Muggeridge who was stopped just inches out but quick ruck ball and a wave of attackers saw Will Gould on hand to crash over from close range.

The final try of the game came on the back of sustained crashes from Stags forwards that drew in defenders, creating an overlap which allowed Collard to dot down in the corner for his hattrick. The conversion was missed, but soon after the referee blew for no side with Stags closing out a comfortable 41-5 victory.

Stags captain Wayne Bradley described the match as “the most complete eighty minute performance stags have performed in many years” and that “to a man every player stepped up their performance today.”

“Their were times when Casuals had bodies strewn all over the ground as our Green Army marched on,” added Bradley.

Stags next match is this coming Saturday at home against Queens where they will certainly be targeting another bonus point win. All support very much welcome.