Stags come unstuck in the mud at Aylestone

Aylestone St James 27-10 Huntingdon Stags --- DESPITE a spirited attacking display Stags came unstuck in muddy conditions when they travelled to Aylestone St James. Stags were aiming to avenge the defeat inflicted by the hosts earlier in the season but A

Aylestone St James 27-10 Huntingdon Stags ---

DESPITE a spirited attacking display Stags came unstuck in muddy conditions when they travelled to Aylestone St James.

Stags were aiming to avenge the defeat inflicted by the hosts earlier in the season but Aylestone proved too powerful.

The visitors started well and their early pressure resulted in a try by Ali Dunsdon, easily converted by Damien Whales.

Stags' defence managed to repel a series of attacks until an Aylestone player found a gap in the line, sprinting through to score. The conversion made it 7-7.

After Aylestone had piled on the pressure in the scrum, Stags defended a kick on their 22 before taking the lead with a penalty of their own.

The strength of the Aylestone pack continued to tell, giving their backs time to advance towards the Stags line, but more dogged defending gave the visitors a breakaway which resulted in a penalty that Whales was unable to convert.

Aylestone scored their second try just before half-time but failed to kick the conversion, making the score 12-10.

The second half started much like the first - with Stags trying to force their way through the Aylestone defence, but it was the home side who scored to stretch their lead to 17-10.

Good tackling and counter rucking thwarted Stags, and Aylestone soon added two more unconverted tries.

Stags were given late hope when two Aylestone players were shown yellow cards, with one upgraded to red when the player refused to leave the pitch. The visitors piled forward in the search of a foothold in the game but could not turn their two-man advantage into points.