Match day 9 - Hertford (home)

Overcast and a strong wind running towards the tennis courts…. CSStags1863 playing against the wind started well, Hertford were unbalanced in the early exchanges. Against the run of play Hertford took an early lead 0-7, which the “Stags” started clawing back with a penalty from Ollie Bryant (12) from a Hertford offside, 3-7. Hertford responded with a further try following a missed tackle in the middle of the park, 3-14. “Stags” came back again and during a phase of incessant pressure on the Hertford line were awarded a penalty try by the referee. Hertford were breaching the offside line, which also had their captain yellow carded… at this point Hertford had 13 players on the pitch…10-14. Following a classic Donga (playing for Hertford) style push off the ball, the “Stags” picked up a further penalty through the boot of Ollie Bryant (12) – 13-14. Half time and the crowd were feeling buoyed by being within one point at half time and having the elements in our favour for the second half.

No changes to the conditions at the start of the second half… Hertford came back out with 15 players and a lot more focus. The “Stags” picked up the bad habits of Hertford from the first half with numerous offside penalties, which Hertford punished. The scoreboard rattled forward throughout the second half with the “Stags” unable to respond. Several injuries plagued the team throughout the game, especially in the second half forcing positional changes. The match closes out 13-45.

On to Westcombe Park next week…

PLAYER OF THE MATCH as chosen by Chris Swann (DoR) and Grant Hathaway (Head Coach) Parimal “Paz” Shrestha (11) for his work rate and line breaks, a real spark in the back line… other players worthy of mention - Mike Ozdilli (8) for leading from the front despite playing most of the game with a broken nose, the front row Lewis Elllingham (1), Ricky Hollamby (2) & Andrew Barton (3) coming together for the first time and bringing a level of stability to the pack and dynamic to the open play, and Josh Knight coming on as a replacement at full back in the second half.