Stags work hard for victory

Midlands Division 3 East (South) Huntingdon Stags 21 Northampton Casuals 12 STAGS made it two wins out of two with a hard-earned victory at Hinchingbrooke in the rugby union conference. Only conceding a last-minute try took the gloss off a solid performan

Midlands Division 3 East (South)

Huntingdon Stags 21 Northampton Casuals 12

STAGS made it two wins out of two with a hard-earned victory at Hinchingbrooke in the rugby union conference.

Only conceding a last-minute try took the gloss off a solid performance from the home side, for whom all three tries came from the backs.

Huntingdon had all the early pressure but did not manage to convert it into points until Charlie Cook set up Neil Welsh to cross the try-line.

Casuals could not take advantage when Stags man Benny Giglio was sin-binned and a Damian Whales penalty gave the hosts a comfortable 8-0 lead at the break.

After the break, Stags pressed home their superiority, with Ben Strangeways particularly impressive, and Cook crossed the line for a second score.

Casuals managed to pull a try back during a rare lapse in the home defence but Whales soon dummied for another try and added a penalty to make it 21-5.

Casuals made it into double figures with a late try and conversion but Stags came away with a nine-point victory margin for the second week running.

Meanwhile, Stags II enjoyed a 14-5 win against Northampton Heathens.

* Next week both Stags I and II are away to Wellingborough while the Veterans get their season underway with a home game against the same opponents.