After last weeks epic away win at Minehead, and not to forget our first away win in 889 days, The Stags entertained Wiveliscombe at The Pit, who were yet to loose a game so far this season.

It appeared that Wivvy brought the weather with them, from the dark depths of a somewhat strange part of Somerset, which suited them for periods of the game.

The Stags started well pinning Wivvy in there own 22 and Piper found touch with a deathly hallow ball over the top. The resulting lineout was lost on the 5m line by the visitors and the home pack took advantage with Birkan Gunduz (we call him Bacon) crashing over the line after 10 mins with Piper adding the extras. 7-0

The Wivvy pack must of had a good stone per player advantage over the svelte Stags, donning the new attire, which showed at various points of the game.

Despite the weather The Stags lineout was precise and well executed  throughout the game and provided good possession of the ball. Jim Havercroft was exceptional in the loose, spoiling what he could, tackling like a man possessed and doing what Flankers are meant to do.

Wivvy forced several errors in the loose and were awarded a penalty in the centre of the park and took the scrum. With the ball out the 10 chipped over the top of the oncoming Stags found space and forced a lineout in the Stags 22.
The lineout was won and with several mauls formed going forward they found a way through the home defence to score. 7-5.

With the rain continuing to lash down, this seemed to spur on the Stags and it wasn’t too long until they found themselves back in the Wivvy 22 going through the motions. Slow ball, pick n go, tight channels and bingo, Jude ‘Mop Top’ Donnelly found a gap through the centre of a ruck and dived over the line. Unfortunately Pipes missed that one. 12-5.

Wivvy were straight back in the home 22 from the resulting KO but the Stags held out for the half time whistle. 

Wivvy’s tactics changed in the second half and they used the forwards to there advantage and kept the ball tight with some good old fashion up the shirt rugby which The stags struggled to defend and allowed the visitors to score a second try 12-10.

Within several minutes, an intercepted pass by someone in our own half (no names mentioned) allowed Wivvy to score a third try under the posts to them 12-17 up.

Captain Kecks must have gave the lads some clear, yet stern instructions, while stood under the posts. The Stags had several phases of play just inside the Wivvy half and Will Hopkins, somehow, wriggled, slipped, crunched and bulldozed his way through 5, yes that’s right 5, players to score just to the side of the posts. Piper converted 19-17.

Donk came on for Bacon with Sam Wall moving to the front row and Lee Vaughan for Russ Pike.

Donk made an instant impact by steadying the scrums and provided a firm platform in the loose for replacement Scrum Half, Mitch Kingston, who came on for Justin Bieber AKA Sam Lewis.

With the changes made, The Stags were awarded a penalty between the 10m & 22m lines and Piper opted for the posts. The ball fell short by a couple of meters and thankfully the Wivvy player who attempted to catch the ball dropped it for the knock on. Scrum 5m out. The ball was won in the scrum but then lost in the loose, that said, the Stags hunger continued in Wivvy;s 22 for the next 10 mins but poor execution, white fever and some handling errors meant they left with nothing.

With only 10 mins left on the clock, Wivvy kept hold of the ball, slowed the game down and made ground through the home sides 22m area to force a penalty. Scrum down and the Stags were penalised for wheeling the scrum and awarded Wivvy another penalty. This time the Wivvy pack stayed tight going forward and the No 8 scored in the last 5 mins of the game.

Final Score 19-22.

It was tough to take but had it been a dry day the players and the home crowd all knew the score line would of been different.

We go again and next week we travel to Avon RFC.

MOTM was Jim Havercroft.