On the road again to Bedford for a league fixture, 3 p.m. kick off on their AGP (with lights), in a brisk breeze with intermittent grey clouds on a dull January day.

Stags against the wind first half, but managed to get a good early score after just a few minutes of play. Their first press into the Bedford half saw them go initially left, but then out again to the right where John Hargreaves kicked a perfect lob for Kain Rix to latch on to and run through for a score under the post. Max Tipping converted, good early lead 0-7 to CS Stags. However Bedford responded strongly on the 14 minute mark with an attacking breakthrough on the left, which then saw their No. 8 finish off under the posts for a try. That was converted, 7-7 now the score. Straight back came CS after just 16 minutes, the ball being channelled through the line for Kain Rix to make a good break down the left touch, and then pass out nicely for Jamie Christie to come through from full back and score in the left corner. Not converted, score Bedford 7 - CS Stags 12.
Bedford came back strongly again to attack on the right flank, and once again drifted infield to score under the post. A successful conversion meant Bedford took the lead 14-12. Bedford capitalised at the end of the first half, first scoring a penalty awarded to them in front of the post (17-12) and then camp on our line to eventually score under the posts again. Converted, the half time whistle was blown with Bedford taking a 24-12 lead into the interval.
Stags now with the wind behind them second half, though it did die down a bit. The boys came out determined, and scored a penalty awarded to them in front of the posts through Max Tipping. 24-15. Bedford then converted a penalty just left of the Stags post on our 22, to make the score 27-15 in their favour. More Stags pressure caught Bedford offside in front of their line, and Max Tipping slotted home the penalty. 27-18. Could this be a comeback by Stags – 20 minutes still to go! Indeed hopes rose quickly with Emmet McDonnell cutting through their line, with Jamie Christie once again making himself available in support for the final pass to score in the left corner. Unconverted, the score was now Bedford 27 – CS Stags 23. More Stags pressure on the 33 minute mark second half saw a good line out, catch and drive, but judged held up over the Bedford line. However a final push for the win by Stags after more pressure was not to be, another good drive for the line being judged a forward pass. Bedford were awarded a penalty on the 39 minute mark second half, which they converted, to make the final score Bedford 30 – CS Stags 23. We picked up a losing bonus point.

To summarise in the words of Coach Oli Bryant – a good performance, not quite the result wanted, but we are positive going into next week and am confident the lads will pick themselves up again.

Man of the match: Kain Rix (as awarded by Oli Bryant, Head Coach) – Kain was brilliant today.
Special mentions: (Also as awarded by Oli Bryant, Head Coach) – Jamie Christie was great at full back, and also Emmet McDonnell in the midfield. Jesse Outlaw came on for his debut (congratulations Jesse) and had a solid impact, together with the whole back row that also put in a massive shift.

CS Stags scorers:
Tries: Kain Rix (X1) – (5 points), Jamie Christie (X2) - (10 points)
Conversion: Max Tipping (X1) – (2 points)
Penalties: Max Tipping (X2) – (6 points)