RUGBY: Stags see their slide continue when drawing a blank in third successive defeat
Rugby coverage from the Hunts Post. - Credit: Archant
Huntingdon saw their torrid start to life in Midlands Division Two East (South) continue last Saturday.
Stags, who were relegated last season, suffered a third successive defeat when they were resoundingly beaten 42-0 by Corby side Stewarts & Lloyds – a result which left them propping up the early standings.
They fell behind after seeing a move break down in midfield and their deficit soon doubled when unable to stop their hosts’ from muscling over with a maul from a line out.
A number of opportunities for Stags to respond went begging as they failed to take advantage of having the slope and strong breeze in their favour, and salt was rubbed into their wounds by a third converted try from Stewarts & Lloyds – a carbon copy of their second score – before half-time.
Damien Whales’ men knew a tough second period was ahead, but they started brightly without managing to turn possession and territory into points.
And, just as in the opening period, they were punished by their ruthless hosts with a penalty try leading to a yellow card for Stags debutant Stuart Quinn, a new arrival on these shores from New Zealand.
A fifth Stewarts & Lloyds score soon followed – admittedly with a strong suspicion of a knock-on – before the scoring was completed by the hosts’ lively full-back as Stags tired.
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An injury to Nick Vallance only added to Stags’ woes as they have a number of forwards sidelined, although that led to a first taste of senior rugby for Adam Burgess who performed encouragingly.
Stags have a home date against Belgrave at The Racecourse this Saturday.
* The club’s veteran side – Staggerers – have enjoyed a much more successful start to the season.
They recorded a second consecutive victory when seeing off Deepings 35-0 last Saturday.
Matt Day scored two tries with David Holme, Chris Pape and Ben Tranter also touching down. Skipper Paul Baynes added all five conversions.
* A Huntingdon junior side racked up the points last weekend.
The club’s Under 16 outfit thrashed Newmarket 71-0 in the opening round of the Cambridgeshire County Cup.
