Leicester Vipers 25 Huntingdon Stags 10 HUNTINGDON STAGS lost to Leicester Vipers in the first quarter of the game as they struggled to move away from the bottom three. Vipers were rampant and applied pressure from the start and were rewarded with a fir

Leicester Vipers 25 Huntingdon Stags 10

HUNTINGDON STAGS lost to Leicester Vipers in the first quarter of the game as they struggled to move away from the bottom three. Vipers were rampant and applied pressure from the start and were rewarded with a first minute penalty for a Stags' player being offside. They converted to go ahead despite the strong winds, and quickly got their first try which was converted to put the hosts 10-0 ahead.

Stags soon conceded another penalty that was missed, but things only got worse as Tom McCreadie was sin binned for 10 minutes. Vipers then got another penalty which was converted and opened up a convincing 17-0 lead over the visitors.

Stags then lost another man, with Doug Bentley being sin binned for stamping. They marshaled the defence well however, and Vipers did not capitalize on having two more players for the first half to end 17-0.

Stags came out strong after the interval and attacked from the start, with Martin Holgate hitting the woodwork and going wide on an early penalty. He got another chance and this time took it to get Stags' first points and give them a fighting chance.

Vipers struck back with venom though and got to within range and were gifted a penalty kick, which they scored. Stags pushed forward and Bentley crossed the line for a try, which Holgate converted.

Vipers launched one last attack though and got another try for a final score of 25-10. Despite a battling second half performance, Stags had lost the game in the first quarter.

Stags play their home games at Hinchingbrooke School and all new players are welcome. Training is Tuesday and Thursday evenings and the club can be contacted at www.huntingdonrufc.co.uk. Their next home game is the league is to Old Newtonians on Valentine's Day.