Midlands 3 (East/South) Huntingdon 3 Northampton Old Scouts 27 HUNTINGDON Stags failed to improve on their already poor season against a powerful Old Scouts side that sit third in the table. On the injury front Stags are still suffering with some of their

Midlands 3 (East/South)

Huntingdon 3 Northampton Old Scouts 27

HUNTINGDON Stags failed to improve on their already poor season against a powerful Old Scouts side that sit third in the table.

On the injury front Stags are still suffering with some of their regular first teamers sidelined and this match saw Darren Harris added to the list with a broken thumb.

In to the side have been drafted some very good replacements but while they have all the enthusiasm they lacked the experience to compete over 80 minutes at this level.

That fact was obvious in this game as for 50 minutes Stags proved a real handful to their highly placed visitors.

Against a big pack Stags made all the early running and made camp in front of the Old Scouts post several minutes of pressure failed to yield any points and against the run of play Old Scouts broke away to score in the corner.

The home side hit back and although losing in the scrums they were competing and winning line out balls. With the half time break fast approaching Stags looked to hold the visitors to their narrow lead but succumbed to a late push over try to leave them 10-nil down.

The home side started the second half in determined mood but as the conditions deteriorated the more powerful and experienced Old Scouts pack dominated the game. They won a penalty try and followed this with two more to seal the win.

Stags hammered away to the end and were rewarded when Martin Holgate put three points on the board with a drop goal in a game that saw debut man Sam Coe put in a fine display on the "blind side".

# Stags visit Stewart and Lloyds on Saturday