Stags slip up as relegation looms

Huntingdon Stags 12 Northampton Mens Own 17 THE spectre of relegation is beginning to cast its shadow over struggling Stags, who slipped to yet another narrow home defeat. Mens Own lost their first nine games of the season, conceding 377 points in the pro

Huntingdon Stags 12 Northampton Mens Own 17

THE spectre of relegation is beginning to cast its shadow over struggling Stags, who slipped to yet another narrow home defeat.

Mens Own lost their first nine games of the season, conceding 377 points in the process, but did enough here to secure their second consecutive victory.

Stags were left bemused by the defeat - their fifth at home, with four of them by a margin of seven points or fewer.

The try count was two apiece with the difference made by a conversion and a penalty by the Mens Own full back.

Stags started well and quickly scored a simple try with rucked ball and passing down the line enabling Dale Abblitt to go over for the first try from a Stags back since October 14.

The home side's rhythm was disrupted when Matt Parle had to go off with a gash to his ear and the match was then lost in the next 25 minutes when Stags failed to win any ball.

The Mens Own fly half scored their first try and a second came from an interception by the visiting number eight, who ran in from 70 yards to give the visitors a 17-5 lead at half-time.

Tom Beattie finished off an incisive break by Selim Sheik which Matt Durrant converted and the home crowd looked forward to an anticipated rush of tries.

However, over elaborate play from Stags meant that no further points were scored - even when the visitors had two players sin-binned - and the match was lost.

Banbury are Saturday's visitors to Hinchingbrooke for a 2.15pm kick-off and there is a supporter's lunch before the game.

n Stags II lost out 32-17 in a competitive game with Peterborough while 13-man Stags Veterans lost 28-15 to Biggleswade.