Thurrock Sport
Stanford third string in action against a strong SWF
10:50pm Thursday 2nd February 2012
RUGBY: Stanford's third string gained valuable Merit Table points at the weekend coming from behind against a strong South Woodham Ferrers side.
The visitors arrived at Stanford Rec. with just 13 players but Stanford was able to lend players to make numbers equal. SWF started well and took the lead with a converted try early in the game. The Stanford pack was bigger and held advantage in the scrums but lineouts seemed to be struggling.
The visitors scored again and the Young Stanford side had to dig deep to keep their composure.
A few attacks came close but failed to penetrate the SWF line. Veteran No8 Paul Newbery was back to his usual form being a pest around the tackle area and making good ground will ball in hand. Stanfords youthful backs looked dangerous but were starved of ball and were relegated to tackling duties for most of the first half.
Another try from the visitors stretched the lead to 19 points and things were getting desperate. Seventeen year old, Nick Sharp at centre had other ideas and managed to intercept a pass, while SWF were mounting their next attack, and ran about 60 metres to score under the posts.
Billy Lander, a recent addition to Stanford RFC slotted over the conversion and the score was 19 -7. The half time whistle came soon after and Stanford felt they still had chances in this game.
Skipper David Payne, made a few changes to the line up with Mark Lennon, John Jones, Ryan Morey and Lee Payne joining the fray.
The game resumed and immediately the Stanford side put pressure on their opposition and was rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts. Nick Sharp kicked the goal and reduced the lead. Next, an excellent forwards try by Newbery after the pack drove forward and battered the SWF line, again converted by Sharp. Confidence had returned to the home team and SWF had to work hard to contain some powerful runs by backs and forwards alike. Another penalty by Sharp, reduced the deficit to 1 point.
Simon Rumble was having a difficult time at prop but must be given credit for knuckling down and doing the job. Second rows Rob O’Connell and Tim Cochrane were workhorses and drove the Stanford pack forward at every breakdown. Mark Lennon and Conor O’Neil were working hard in the backs and made several crucial tackles that prevented scores. Conor damaged his hand in one tackle but soldiered on to finish the game. The SWF side rallied and managed to cross the Stanford line once again and stretch their lead but the try was forced wide out and the resulting conversion kick was missed so Stanford was just the 6 points behind.
Veteran full back Rob Maher wasn’t having a great game by his standards and had spilled a number of high balls under pressure but with a stroke of genius he made a great break through the centre of the park, evaded the SWF tackles and scored under the posts. Nick Sharp stepped up and took the conversion to give Stanford a well earned 25-24 victory.
Nick Sharp was given man of the match with a personal total of 15 points in the game. Skipper David Payne was pleased to see the young players like Sharp, breaking into senior rugby.
For much more rugby see Friday's THURROCK GAZETTE