HUNTINGDON Stags lost at Aylestone St James on Saturday after squandering a 10 point lead to remain second bottom in the Midlands Three East (South) league. Stags travelled to Jimmies and started the game well, running deep into their opponents half and

HUNTINGDON Stags lost at Aylestone St James on Saturday after squandering a 10 point lead to remain second bottom in the Midlands Three East (South) league.

Stags travelled to Jimmies and started the game well, running deep into their opponents' half and forcing the Leicester side to defend well. Their continued pressure paid off when Elliot Baldwin steered the ball between the posts to send Stags 3-0 ahead.

Play stayed around the centre of the park after the restart, and the strength of the Jimmies scrum became apparent as they pushed Stags back. The hosts got a penalty within range and equalised. Aylestone kept using their scrum strength and Stags gave away a scrum very close to their try line. Jimmies pushed on and scored and converted a try to lead 10-3. Stags attacked from the restart and some strong play saw James Thorpe run in a try which was duly converted by Baldwin to make the scores level at half time.

Stags exerted pressure from the start of the second half and Robbie Attwell added a try to put the visitors back in front, though Baldwin missed the conversion. Stags countered as Jimmies sought to level the scores and Chris Pape was given a yellow card and 10 minutes in the sin bin. Stags held the numerically superior attack at bay, and their counter saw Eddie Drummond grab the ball and run in an unconverted try to give Huntingdon a convincing 20-10 lead over the hosts.

Some ill disciplined Stags play and almost 10 minutes of added time saw Stags squander that lead however. The hosts scored two unconverted try in quick succession and one final attack of the game saw them score another try that was converted to give them a 27-20 lead at the final whistle.

Stags currently languish second from bottom in the table with six points from 15 games played and seven remaining with Old Newtonians sitting three points above them. They play home matches at Hinchingbrooke School and new players are welcome to come to training on Tuesday and Thursday evening. For more information, visit www.huntingdonrufc.co.uk