Midlands 3 East (South) Wellingborough 43 Huntingdon Stags 5 TRIES in the opening and final minutes of the first half – and a controversial score in between – meant this match was effectively over at half time. The home side scored three further tries aft

Midlands 3 East (South)

Wellingborough 43 Huntingdon Stags 5

TRIES in the opening and final minutes of the first half - and a controversial score in between - meant this match was effectively over at half time.

The home side scored three further tries after half-time and, with Peter Vickers converting five of them and kicking a drop goal, Stags suffered a comprehensive defeat.

In truth, the Boro backs were far superior and though it was the home side's left winger who scored a hat-trick of tries, it was the full-back, with timely incursions and good lines of attack that caused much of the damage.

In contrast, Stags looked pedestrian and laboured and though the rub of the green and a couple of important decisions went Boro's way, the visitors could have no real complaints.

One encouraging aspect for Stags was that the pack, especially in the first half, put pressure on Boro in the scrum and lineout, and probably deserved more than the single try, from Spencer Burgess, following a lineout catch and drive.

Stags know the other teams in the league that play a similar expansive game to Wellingborough and will need to devise and implement defensive strategies to deal with them.

Another tough away fixture follows this Saturday at Leighton Buzzard before home games in October that should allow Stags to climb up the table.

* The second XV, playing Wellingborough in the East Midlands merit table, recorded a 35-27 victory for their second successive win.

St Ives II 43 Sharnbrook II 0

A SIDE composed of younger, older and regular players combined to secure a comfortable win for Saints II.

Josh Dear, Ollie Moorhouse, Dave Williams and Nigel Sweeney were among those to cross the try line as Saints cruised home.

* St Ives' first team travel to Deepings at the weekend in Midlands 5 East (South), while St Neots go to Kempston in Midlands 6 East (South).

St Neots Colts 0 Wellingborough Colts 34

A DETERMINED and gritty performance from St Neots wasn't enough as Wellingborough left with a convincing victory.

It was the second week running that Saints' team of 17 and 18-year-olds had gone down to defeat despite an impressive performance.

Wellingborough's large squad allowed them to rotate and their fresher legs allowed them to run in three unconverted tries in the first half.

After the break Saints had plenty of possession but could not break down the stubborn Wellingborough defences.

However, inexperience eventually began to show as the visitors ran in another three tries after the interval, two of which were converted.

INFORMATION: Any young rugby players interested in joining St Neots Colts should contact 01480 391231.