The stags were back in action at The BASC on Saturday against a tenacious Tiverton side who gave it their all after using all three subs in the first half due to Blood injuries.

Tiverton started the brighter side with the wind behind them as The Stags struggled at the breakdown and were ‘turned over’ on several occasions which gave Tiverton plenty of territory and possession at times. It wasn’t until the 23rd minute that The Stags sprung into action when winger Josh Holder chipped the ball over his opposite player, the ball was bouncing towards the try line so the race was on until  he was pulled back a Tiverton player and the referee awarded a penalty try 7-0.

Tiverton had already lost one player before two more clashed heads in a tackle so had used all there subs after 30 minutes of play and this was when The Stags began to open up the Tivvy defence.  A forth Tivvy player soldiered on with his war wounds throughout the game thanks the first aiders on the battle field.

Sam Everett gathered a loose ball on the half way line, with Eoghan Westoff in support who made ground and was an elusive in the tackle as he made 20 meters into the Tivvy and up popped Turbo Pig, Will Hopkins in support to score. 12-0.

It was only several minutes later that Hopkins crossed the white wash again for his second try under the posts and Tip Piper adding he extras 19-0.

In what was the longest first half of rugby ever witnessed, due to the Blood stoppages, Tivvy began to gather some stride and found themselves deep in The Stags 22 area and with persistence came away with 7 points on the stroke of half time. HT 19-7.

With the wind now behind The Stags  in the second half it was always going to be a challenge for Tivvy to mount another attack but there were numerous occasions The Stags had to withhold the onslaught.

A Further 21 points were scored throughout the second half with Ryan Beard crashing through The Tivvy defence. A well-deserved try for Westoff, who was a complete nuisance all game and then shortly before the final whistle Beard bags his brace of tries. Tim Piper converted them all.

Plonker of the match had to be Ross McKechan for entering a ruck in at the side in the first half then getting binned for 10 minutes in the second half and credit must go to Tiverton for giving it there all after some early loses.

Next week The Stags travel to the dark depths of Cornwall to take on 4th Place Truro RFC. KO is at 2.3pm and the coach leaves……………early!!