CS Run Out of Manpower But Fight To The Whistle

Rugby Result : CS Stags 25 Westcliff 36

Against visitors justifiably hoping for promotion to National League 2, CS required a strong match day squad, but alas circumstances beyond their control resulted in a much-weakened team with just a single replacement available to cover injuries.

A former players reunion luncheon, preceded the match, marking in particular thirty years since a successful and enjoyable Canadian tour in 1989, at which there were 55 attendees, many of whom had been on that tour. A number who attended the lunch missed a lightning start by the stags. CS kicked off from which the visitors, who had arrived late due traffic or route selection issues (the team later had no such issues), attempted clearance kick was skilfully charged down by back-row Harvey Taylor.

The ball soon crossed the line followed by a posse of players and to the delight of the home crowd it was the Stags, through Adam Nixon who won the race for the touchdown. With seconds only on the clock, 5-0 was the unexpected score. The Westcliff set scrum was nothing if not dominant, although not always legal, but it was not until the 25th minute that they used it to full advantage, when given an attacking scrum deep in CS territory, they quickly moved the ball wide right to score and level the match, 5 – 5. Very little of note took place until Westcliff had another attacking scrum from which their No 8 picked up the ball and set up an opportunity for their backs, initially to the right, but CS had learned from the previous score, and quickly closed it down, however the visitors cut back in towards the centre and scored near the posts 5 - 12. Shortly before half time CS benefited from some promising play, and were awarded their second penalty for which two Westcliff forwards received a stern talking to from the match official. An excellent penalty kick gave CS a line out close to the try line. However, the line out was best described as a fiasco, not least due to some regulars in their line out moves being missing, and came to nothing and the half therefore closed, interestingly poised at 5 – 12.

From the second half restart the Stags received a penalty for being taken out in the air. They duly kicked for territory, from which both centres combined well and were only thwarted by the opposition conceding a penalty to CS. From 25 metres Josh Knight kicked the goal. 8 – 12 leaving much to play for, although CS could not match the ability of the visitors to replace fatigued players with fresh ones, which could prove crucial in the final quarter. The visitors at this stage knew they had a contest on their hands and after 58 minutes, on receiving a penalty of their own opted for a kick at goal rather than an attacking line out. 8 – 15. The fatigue did indeed start to impact on CS who made some unforced errors enabling Westcliff to score two converted tries, the second of which came from a massive knock on, which the referee apparently did not see, and earn a bonus point. 8 -29.

Even though severely under resourced this Stags side are not of the ilk to give up, and so it proved. First Tom Williams was on the end of another good Stags charge down followed by an exquisite break by Ryan Martin resulting inn a touch down by Adam Nixon. 20 -29. Stags continued to look for scores as well as make mistakes, and first conceded a score through the centre but then drove a scrum over the line for Chris Greene to score a bonus point winning try. 25 – 36. Next week CS are away to Guildford who are one place beneath CS in the league; it should therefore be a good match.

April 1, 2019