RUGBY UNION: Survival boost as Stags see off fellow strugglers Bugbrooke to record vital victory

Bugbrooke get shirty with Huntingdon man Todd Arnold last Saturday. Picture: J BIGGS PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant)

Stags boosted their Midlands Division One East survival hopes with a vital 20-15 triumph against Bugbrooke at the Racecourse last Saturday.

Wideman Barnie West claimed two of the four Huntingdon tries which also earned the club a bonus point as they attempt to claw their way out of trouble.

Prop Steven Chantler and hooker Russ Polson were the other men to touch down for third-bottom Stags as the shrugged off opponents who sit immediately above the relegation zone - the latter player sprinting in from outside the 22.

The only disappointment for Stags – for whom Murphy Hill was described as being ‘defensively outstanding’ by Whales - was the concession of a late penalty. That also allowed Bugbrooke to claim a bonus point with the final kick of the game.

Whales said: “It was a must-win game and we did exactly that. I couldn’t have asked for any more from the players than a victory with a bonus point.

“It’s essential that we picked up points at home in our situation and it was a fantastic start to the year.

“We set ourselves a target of picking up eight points during January and to have earned five of those in one game is a boost.

“It was particularly pleasing to see us scoring tries again after a difficult run of late. It was just a shame that we let Bugbrooke get away with a bonus point.”

Now Whales has challenged his side to follow up with another success this Saturday when they travel to second-bottom Wellingborough - the team directly below them in the standings.

The two sides battled out a 15-15 draw in the reverse fixture back in September, but Stags really need maximum points on this occasion.

He added: “Hopefully we can build on the win against Bugbrooke in another huge game.

“Wellingborough are another team scrapping to stay up and we need to come away with a result.”