Huntingdon Stags 15-11 Northampton Old Scouts --- HUNTINGDON Stags continued their fightback against an eight-point deduction for player registration errors with a nervy win at the Racecourse. There was little to show between the teams early in the match

Huntingdon Stags 15-11 Northampton Old Scouts ---

HUNTINGDON Stags continued their fightback against an eight-point deduction for player registration errors with a nervy win at the Racecourse.

There was little to show between the teams early in the match, but Old Scouts showed they were dangerous with the ball in hand and showed some good passing skills down the line. The Stags defence looked solid and was able to launch counter attacks.

Stags went ahead when winger Greg Smith was fed the ball and took off like a rocket for the Old Scouts line to score his maiden first-team try.

After the missed conversion attempt, Old Scouts hit straight back and the Stags defensive line had to work hard to prevent Scouts scoring. The visitors won and missed a penalty, but Stags made no mistake with their opportunity, as Matt Durrant thumped the ball over to extend Stags' advantage.

Rory Parker and James Michael, backed up by Elliott Baldwin and the forwards soon saw Stags awarded another kick, but this was wasted.

Neil Welsh put Stags well in front with a touch down under the posts, and Durrant's conversion gave the Stags a comfortable 15-0 lead at the break.

Any thoughts that victory was a formality were soon dispelled as Scouts hit the ground running in the second half. Within minutes they had crossed for a try and although they failed to convert they made amends when they kicked a penalty to further reduce the arrears.

Stags player-coach Damien Whales came on and made an immediate impact with a fine display of attacking kicking to halt the visitors' momentum temporarily.

Old Scouts forced a penalty to pull back another three points and give Stags and their supporters an uncomfortable final 10 minutes.