THE touring Stags U15 team gave themselves a mountain to climb after conceding 24 points in just 15 minutes on their way to a 38-26 defeat to Ipswich. Stags recovered to pick up the pace, but the damage had already been done. Jack Summers got the visitors

THE touring Stags U15 team gave themselves a mountain to climb after conceding 24 points in just 15 minutes on their way to a 38-26 defeat to Ipswich.

Stags recovered to pick up the pace, but the damage had already been done.

Jack Summers got the visitors' first try of the day, converted by Josh Doonan, and though Ipswich added another try, Jack Burgess's charge-down allowed Will Bhagat to pounce for a try.

Tries from Shaun Gomez and Jack Skidmore in the second half brought Stags to within a score of their hosts, but Ipswich surged once more to score the decisive try.

The team's second game, a 19-14 defeat to Bury St Edmunds, was an even tighter affair.

Barney West hit back for the first try after Bury had taken the lead, and the teams were locked at the break.

Stags were forced to reshuffle at the break and conceded two early tries to hand the advantage to Bury. Skidmore crossed for a converted try and Stags had the home side hanging on for the win when the final whistle came.

Stags U9 were the pick of the Stags that faced Newmarket, picking up three wins from three.

They shut out the opposition completely with fine displays in defence and good attacking rugby. Strong tackling by Ben Rycroft, scything runs from James Gould and great handling by all saw wins of 7-0, 5-0 and 3-0.

The U10s had a tougher time, failing to match Newmarket side in many departments as they went down 8-1 and 10-1. Tom Doonan scored the consolation in game one and Justin Sampson got it in game two.

The U12 Stags lost their three games by the exact same 28-7 scoreline.

Player of the day Jo Hegan scored for Stags in game one, and good work from Matt Rickwood and the supporting forwards led to a penalty try in game two. Toby Doonan and Hegan combined to grab the score in the third match but Newmarket had too much firepower.