Stamford Rugby Club beat Stewart and Lloyds to stay top of Counties 1 Midlands East (South)

Stamford produced another comprehensive display to move 12 points clear at the top of the Counties 1 Midlands East (South) table after victory over Stewart and Lloyds on Saturday.

The purple, black and whites bagged another maximum haul of five league points after a 53-15 success at Hambleton Road.

Many local games had been postponed because of the weather conditions, but Stamford were lucky that their match could go ahead as their pitch was in a very playable state.

Town started strongly and were awarded a penalty which took them into the visitors 22 before being followed by another that Will Andrews calmly converted to open the scoring at 3-0.

Stamford kept on the pressure and a quick blind side move put Freddie Chapman over in the corner to increase it to 8-0.

The Corby side tried to get a foothold in the game but the home defence and counter attack was relentless and one swift raid again released Chapman for his second try which Andrews converted to make it 15-0.

Stamford were now taking control and a good handling move sent Ed Cox through and he showed that if you don't stop him with an initial tackle he will punish you with a try. Andrews added the extra two points to make it 22-0.

S&L responded with an attack that led to a line out and drive from which they scored their opening try.

The purple, black and whites' response was to go straight back at them from a line out ball from Ben Chisholm that Andrews carried over for a try which he also converted to take the score onto 29-5.

This was Stamford's fourth try of the game so they had secured the bonus point before half-time.

Stamford continued into the second half the same way they finished the first as good running and sharp passing all done at pace soon released Chapman down the wing for his third try and his first senior hat-trick for the club.

Iain Downer slotted the conversion and the scoreboard now read 36-5.

Town were dominating the game but credit to S&L who never stopped trying but the pressure soon paid off as Ed Cox muscled his way over .

A similar passage of play with Jack Jones and Callum Robertson carrying well resulted in a rare try for prop Joe Ireland who proved unstoppable from five yards out. Downer added the extras to take the score to 48-5.

Stewarts and Lloyds again showed they are not a side who give up easily by scoring two tries of their own.

Stamford's reply was a good back line move involving Downer and Lewis Lancaster which resulted in a Zach Morley try to close the game at 53-15.

Weather permitting, Stamford travel to Warwickshire on Saturday to face Old Laurentians looking for a repeat performance after their 31-17 win in the first meeting of the clubs earlier in the season.

Stamford Women's club history-making matches on Sunday were postponed due to the weather when they were due to field two sides at home for the first time.

The league matches involving Bourne (home to Bugbrooke) and Oakham (away at Rugby St Andrews) were postponed last weekend.

Bourne visit Biggleswade on Saturday while Oakham have a home match against Rushden & Higham at the Showground.

Stamford College Old Boys - who lost 22-21 at Sileby Town on Saturday - host Bedford Queens this weekend.