Saturday 5 January Midlands 3 East (South) Huntingdon Stags 39 Lutterworth 3 STAGS produced a stunning five star performance to defeat Lutterworth — and in doing so scored seven tries for the first time in a league game for four seasons. Stags chairman Ro

Saturday 5 January

Midlands 3 East (South)

Huntingdon Stags 39 Lutterworth 3

STAGS produced a stunning five star performance to defeat Lutterworth - and in doing so scored seven tries for the first time in a league game for four seasons.

Stags chairman Roy Shutz was quick to praise the side. He said: "They were outstanding, young captain Elliot Baldwin showed great maturity and the whole team rolled their sleeves up to achieve a great win.

"Lutterworth sat just one place below us prior to the game and have also reached the fifth round of the Senior Vase so this result represents a significant achievement for the club."

Early exchanges gave no hint of what was to come; both kickers missed a penalty before Andy Walker and Simon Orange made good ground through the centre before being held up in front of the posts. Possession was retained and a hole appeared in the visitors' defence which Damien Whales exploited to open the scoring.

Lutterworth replied with a spell of pressure and were award a second penalty which they failed to convert. Stags took the chance to relieve pressure on the defence with a long booted clearance which saw the visiting full back make a mess of gathering the ball, Ben Strangeways, who had an outstanding game throughout, followed up to gather the ball and outpace the cover for a fine individual try.

Lutterworth came back, Benny Giglio received a yellow card and Stags conceded a number of penalties one of which the visitors converted. Nonetheless, 12-3 to Stags at the break was encouraging and a close second half was anticipated by all.

After an inconclusive 10 minutes or so at the start of the second period Stags were wholly dominant. Strangeways scored his second individual try, this time from a quick penalty and when the same player was stopped a few yards short the forwards drove Simon Malaeulu over for his first try for Stags.

Things got even better for the host's as a long pass from Mike Blanchard on halfway set up the backs. Good handling and timing combined with speed gave Steven Foster his first try for the Stags.

The final two scores both came from Whales: the first was from close quarters, the forwards having done the work - the second followed the break down of a rare incursion into Stags half, Elliot Baldwin fed James Pinkney who made 40 yards before drawing the last defender and slipping the scoring pass to Whales.

With Stewarts and Lloyds losing at Leicester Forest, this victory puts Stags into third place in the table. Next up is a tricky away game at Towcester on January 19.