Another bonus point win leaves Stamford clear at the top of the league.
The purple, black and whites took on Daventry RFC on Saturday 29th September, having not faced the Northamptonshire based side for 3 years, with an emphatic 40–27 win
The two sides sat at the top of the Midlands 3 East (South) league table locked on ten points a piece going into the game — albeit, only after two rounds.
Stamford were high on confidence having a week earlier secured a place in the last 8 of the NLD Shield. Their victory coming at the expense of a well seasoned and normally very tough side to beat in Southwell RFC. The 45–19 win was the clearest sign yet that this squad ‘could’ do something very special this year. The development of their physicality was clear to see and there fitness was back to where it had been in seasons gone by, racing in for 21 unanswered points in the last 15 minutes.
All expectation was that Daventry would provided a sterner league test than Bourne and Birstall had proved in the first two fixtures. The purple, black and whites had worked hard in the week on flooding numbers around the ball carrier, targeting opportunities to off load the ball when on the front foot but more importantly to regain clean and quick ball at the tackle area so the back row and backline could play in more space against a retreating defence.
Stamford started the game by playing down the slope and to everyone’s surprise and slight concern Daventry were first to score, going over in the top lefthand corner, with only 3 minutes on the clock. The conversion was missed and Stamford trailed 5–0.
From the resulting restart, kicked beautifully by Harry Bentley the Stamford defence pressured the Daventry fly half into clearing his lines. No real territory was gained and Stamford had their first opportunity to go on the attack in the Daventry half. Powerful running outside of scrum half game from messers Griffin and Ramsden early on and when the ball was moved into space the Stamford backline looked dangerous, particularly at outside centre where a certain Toby Anderson continues to impress all that watch on.
The Daventry pack could not cope with the Stamford tempo of play and lived off side for most of the first half but all credit to the Stamford pack for getting back into the game with a series of short side plays which resulted in the ball being driven over the white wash by Jack Jones, his 5th of the season and the sides equaliser. Rees Burns who has been striking the ball really well narrowly missed the conversion to the right.
Further Stamford pressure, mainly from the pack resulted in quick ball that Smith moved to Martin Bagnall, the inside centre hit the line at pace, took on two would be tacklers to off-load the ball to his centre partner Toby Anderson who raced in under the uprights. Burns accepted the invitation of two further points and the purple, black, and whites took the lead 12–5. The following 15 minutes of play was rather frustrating, with more breaks in play and too many reset scrums and failed line out. The tempo that Stamford wanted in the game drained away and it was not until the young statesmen at 13 shot out of the defensive line to gather a wide Daventry pass and run in from 60 metres, leaving Rees Burns with a easy conversion to move in to a 19–5 lead, senior Anderson beaming on the touch line and the entire crowd turning to one another to ask, ‘Whose this new kid?’
What was turning into a decent half time lead was slightly tarnished when some passive tackling led to a Daventry forward crashing over for a second try. The conversion was missed and the score line at half time was left at 19–10 to the purple, black and whites.
The team was frustrated with the first half performance but a clear discussion about where to attack and a need to up the tempo led to the side putting to gather a blistering 15 minute period of play following the second half opening whistle.
Forwards, linked with backs, the ball was moved away from the tackle area the minute it was available and there was a direct nature to every player’s run lines as well as greater use of feet and the off load to maintain continuity. The Daventry side could not live with the purple, black and whites, with lots of lazy runners attempting to get back on side and players falling the wrong side of the tackle area, all of which was well managed by the purple, black and whites.
21 unanswered points from a try a piece for Burns, Dove and Bagnall and three resulting conversions left the Stamford side in a handsome 40–10 lead and probably with the game in the bag.
The last 20 minutes saw the tempo drop and Daventry gain field position from needless Stamford infringements. All credit to the Daventry pack who took the chance to rumble their large pack forward from striking range scoring 17 points in the closing to narrow the deficit.
The score rather flattered a Daventry side who did not offer a huge amount all afternoon. Nevertheless, the purple, black and whites will need to tighten up defensively in weeks to come and sharpen their breakdown work if they are to dictate games for 80 minutes.
Albinson commented on his sides performance, ‘The boys are in a great place at the moment. There is a buzz when they turn up to training and the ‘team office’ on game day. We had set ourselves an internal target of going unbeaten in September and it is pleasing to see the boys achieve such this afternoon. We are not getting ahead of ourselves. People around us are already putting us back in Midlands 2 next year. We certainly are not! The lads are level headed and we are committed to one thing — enjoying our rugby what ever Level we are at!’
Albinson reflects on his squad, ‘We have pulled together a great group this season, a mixture of new, old and re-energised and younger players who have come through the coaching structure at the club which has led to us having a very skill full group who are committed and eager. We probably lack out and out pace on our fringes but we have skilled backs who can bring other players into the game. Coaching these guys is a pleasure and I can’t wait to get back out there next week on the training paddock as we build up to Dunstablians away’
Albinson faces some very tough decisions next time out. With a long returning player list including the likes of George Nairn (Hooker), Daniel Wiggin (Prop), Tom Wire (Second Row), Freddie Hill (Back Row), Daniel Heard (Number 8),
Joe MacDonnell (Fly Half),
Austin Schwarz (Centre), James O’Shea (Centre/Wing), Richard Thompson (Wing) and Max Hunter (Wing). With all of The aforementioned having played in the jersey this year so far and in a position to claim they are first choice in their position it is going to be an interesting week at training.
Next job now, away to Dunstablians RFC — a well established club with much history. The purple, black and whites will be ready to perform once more. See you there. Kick Off — 3pm.
Tries: Anderson (2), Bagnall, Jones, Dove, Burns
Conversions: Burns (5)
