Injuries take their toll on CS Stags

CS started this away fixture short of several key players, including two props, both a second and a back, and could ill afford to lose full back James Houstoun with the first ten minutes followed five minutes later by their fly half Tom Hodgson. Perhaps the final straw was the loss of influential prop Craig Bellringer.

The game had started positively with CS on the attack and Tom Hodgson converting a 37-metre penalty for a 0-3 lead, although at a scrum following the restart, they conceded a penalty which Sam Evans converted to square the match 3-3. Now having lost three key players CS struggled to contain a strong Sidcup side, and three penalties helped Sidcup keep the pressure on. However, it looked promising for CS when they intercepted a Sidcup move but lost the sprint to the line, which resulted in an attacking CS line out. CS lost the ball and the Sidcup full back then entered the line and scored at the other end. 8-3. On 30 minutes Sidcup developed play into the CS half and although there was a clear knock on; the referee alone had not seen it and Sidcup scored 15-3 was therefore the half time score. Immediately after the half time break CS had the throw in to a defensive line out but spilled the ball and Sidcup scored 22-3. With ten minutes to go CS again gifted Sidcup a score 29-3. To their credit CS never gave up and the back row scored a well worked consolation try during injury time. 29-8.
The CS coaches hope that Tom Hodgson will not be out for another lengthy spell of action, having missed most of last season and that James Houstoun, Craig Bellringer and James Buncle will also return soon.
On Saturday 3rd November CS are home to Hertford.