The Stags were on the road this Saturday and travelled the long dreary North Devon Link Road and ended up a delightful Bideford.

This was the first time the clubs have met and what a game it turned out to be.

The average age of The Stags was 26, but could have been lower had 41 year old Tim Piper not played. There were first team debuts for Lewis ‘deck chair’ Dodge, Mike Forward and Andrew Aldred who all put in awesome shifts on a sunny afternoon.

From the Kick Off , The Stags meant business with expansive rugby and within a few minutes that 41 year old, Timmy P, scored under the posts and converted his own try 0-7. Bideford responded soon after with  a break up the centre of the park, spinning it out to score to wide but missed the conversion. 5-7.

The Stags expansive style of play opened up the Bids defensive line and some deft handling skills and good support play by the back line allowed Josh Holder and Toby fear o run in two quick tries, both converted by Piper to extend the lead 5-21. Bids look very vulnerable and it wasn’t much longer until The Stags struck again with Piper bagging his second try of the game. Sadly he didn’t make the conversion. 5-26.

Bids soon realised they needed to make some changes on their original game plan and started some good old fashion ‘up the shirt’ rugby keeping the ball tight and not giving it to their backs who were there weak point. It was fast approaching half time and the Bids forwards made ground and broke through The Stags defence to score under the posts 12-26. HT.

Bids now knew where The Stag weak point was which happened to be in the scrums. Bids scored shortly from the restart out wide after some punishing scrums and winning the ball back. 19-26. The Stags extended there lead with Piper slotting a penalty 19-29.

The Stags began to faulter and the front five of Dodge, S Wall, Gunduzm, Keckers, Everett, Stevens and Aldred struggled to deal with the monstrous Bids front five who where all in the region of 20 stone. Their size and experience was second to none and every scrum must have been a painful experience for our slender pack.

Experience can win games and Bids were awarded a penalty tries to claw back the score 26-29. Piper slotted another penalty soon after, 26-32. The Stags were now on the back foot with momentum going all Bids way who scored a converted try to take the lead for the first time in the game. 33-32.

The Stags knew they had to do something and managed to keep the ball alive. Deep inside the Bids half, Piper spotted centre Will Hopkins galloping at pace who caught and powered through several Bids players to score under the posts which Piper converted to regain the lead. 33-39.

With 10 minutes to go, could The Stags hold on for the win…………Nope. Yet again, the Bids giants came trundling back were awarded another Penalty try to seal the match.

Final Score 40-39.

Yet another emphatic match!!!

Credit must go to The Deckchair aka Lewis Dodge and Birkan Gunduz who played all game with a knee injury.

Next week The Stags are home to Wiveliscombe while the 2nd XV have a friendly against North Petherton 2nx also at home.