After The Stags emphatic win away to Yatton two weeks ago positive vibes were echoing at The Pit but as many know travelling to South Bristol and taking on Imperial was never going to be easy.
The Stags lost three players due to injury in the win over Yatton, who all happen to play centre, but thankfully the depth within the squad can over come these tricky situations.

The game started well for The Stags with ball in hand and hitting the middle channels with several rucks before we were awarded a penalty after 5 mins which Tim Piper slotted over to take a 0-3 lead.

It wasn’t long before Imp’s got on the score board with a penalty for offside.3-3 who were also playing a similar style of rugby as The Stags and managed to keep possession of the ball for many periods of the first half.

The Stags ill-discipline at the back foot gave Imp’s another three points and converted try and put themselves in a ten point lead after 25 mins.

From the resulting KO, Imp’s cleared away from within the 22m to find touch. The Stags lineout has been pretty solid so far this season and an off the top ball by Luke Gowan to Piper who saw Sam Chillingworth running at pace, passed, and he broke the Imp’s defensive line but was brought down by the full back on the 22m. During the ruck, Imp’s conceded a penalty for an infringement and Piper kicked for touch.

That well drilled lineout came into use with a catch & drive ball from 5m’s out allowed Birkan Jagameister to score. Piper slotted the extra’s. 13-10.

The tide changed for Imp’s and The Stags had more possession of ball. Piper found space deep in the Imp’s 22 with a kick over the top. Felix Grandfield chased and charged down the clearing kick and Captain Kecks gathered the loose ball from 5m out but was held up on the try line.

Imp’s cleared away from within there 22 area but didn’t find touch and gave the ball straight back to The Stags and with a couple of quick passes down the line, winger, Ryan Beard ran in from 30m to score. 13-15.

At the restart, off we went again with ball in hand, through the motions and were awarded a penalty for holding on at the ruck. Piper found touch about 8m’s out and you may already know the next bit……….Gowan collected in the lineout, and a well worked driving maul moved at pace for Stefan Pierce to score with Piper doing his bit before half time. 13-22.

It was a shame that half time whistle came as the visitors began to gain momentum but a 10 minute break didn’t do us justice.

Imp’s were straight back in the game with a try from the inside centre close to the posts. 20-22

The remainder of the second half was a stark contrast to the first as The Stags were starved of possession of the ball due to a little ill-discipline but mainly because Imp’s looked after the ball in the rucks and mauls.

That said, nothing should be taken away from The Stags as they defended immensely for many periods of the second half and putting there bodies on the line.

Tom Stevens was like a typical Jack Russell snapping at anything that moved and steeling the ball on his own 5m line. 

With Imp’s piling on the pressure, mistakes were made and Imp’s were awarded a penalty for a high tackle and took the lead 23-22.

Piper was told off by The Ref for back chat (last time I saw Tim told off was at school…..priceless) and to be honest it was a little unfair.

Imp’s could now taste victory and scored to put themselves 6 points ahead with an unconverted try 28-22. 

This left a glimmer of hope for The Stags but all hopes were dashed when a failed kick to touch in the Imp’s 22 went in the dead ball area.

Final Score 28-22

Credit should be given for how The Stags defended for many periods of the game and the D worked well. The set peace was perfect throughout but this was a tough defeat to accept.

The Stags next match is this Friday night at The BASC against Weston 2nd XV. KO is at 7.30pm