After last weeks defeat away to Wiveliscombe The Stags were looking to get back to winning ways against Avon RFC.

The stags started the game with good possession of ball but several handling errors and Avon applying pressure at the break down it was a bit of wobbly start for the home team.
Once the game had settled a little The stags showed the large home crowd what they were good at with quick ball produced by the forwards allowing Scrum Half, Sam Lewis, to whip the ball out to  Eoghan Westhoff who managed to break through several Avon players and race towards the line with Lewis in support, who then caught the pass from Westhoff and force his way over the line out wide to score the first try of the game. 5-0

It wasn’t too long until a similar move gave Sam Chillingworth the opportunity to show his silky running skills and also break the Avon defence and then passed to the supporting Tim Piper who scored The Stags second try and extend the lead 12-0.

Things definitely started to click for The Stags who then produced the best phase of play all game. A quick ball out from the scrum by Lewis, to Piper who gained territory and passed down the line to birthday boy, Ryan Beard, who then found his 21st gear sprinting towards line and gave the most awesome dummy to the oncoming Avon player who fell to the dummy and let Beard race to the line who scored The Stags third try. 17-0

Avon had other ideas and responded immediately by forcing The Stags back in there own 22 and we awarded a scrum on the 5m line. The ball was won and the Avon fly half scored from 10m out slipping past several tackles. 17-7.

HT 17-7

Avon started the second in similar fashion and were strong at the rucks & mauls winning the fight several times. That said, The stags continued as they left the first half, with several phases of play across the park and producing that quick ball was another perfect opportunity for Chilly to score the forth try. 22-7.

Westhoff found himself in the bin for 10 mins and it was this point Avon got back into the game and scored from the resulting penalty to claw the score back 22-12.

Piper then extended the lead with a further 3 points from 25m out but Avon’s pack continued to apply pressure which paid off as they scored another converted try with a driving maul and still 15 mins left to play. 25-19.

It was these next 15 minutes that The Stags defended like warrior putting there bodies on the line to slow the game down and keep Avon at bay.

Final Score 25-19

A fine display of open running rugby was witnessed by many and MOTM was given to Ryan Beard for his pace and well executed try.The Stags have a week off next weekend and return the action on the 2nd February to take on Cheltenham Saracens in the Senior Vase Cup. KO at 2.00pm.

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