Stamford Rugby Club beat Biggleswade in Counties 1 Midlands East (South)
Stamford avenged one of only two league losses so far this season with a convincing victory over Biggleswade on Saturday.
The purple, black and whites secured an emphatic 50-10 victory over their fifth-placed visitors in the Counties 1 Midlands East (South) clash at Hambleton Road.
It ensured Stamford made a rapid return to winning ways after last week's derby defeat against Bourne and leaves them 10 points clear at the top of the table.
The weather conditions were perfect for a running game which was a complete contrast to the previous weekend's gales.
Town started in a very positive mood, moving the ball at pace and recycling well.
This tactic soon paid off as they created a good field position on the left and then allowed Will Andrews to sweep around to the right for the opening try.
As this move had worked well, they repeated it shortly afterwards and it was full back George Chapman who finished it off to give them an early 10-0 lead.
The visitors realised that this was a totally different Stamford to the one they had faced before and any attacking move they tried was quickly snuffed out by some resilient home defending.
Stamford again made it to the goal line and a series of pick and drives paid off when skipper Jack Jones crashed over for a try which Frazer Hutton converted to extend the lead to 17-0.
From the re-start, Stamford again launched a long range move with the same end result, Jones with the try and Hutton the conversion for a 24-0 lead which secured the bonus point in less than 30 minutes.
They kept up the pressure and Ed Cox was unlucky not to score but the attack continued and a gap was created for Dave Martin to sprint through for a try.
Town closed down any Biggleswade moves and at the interval led 29-0.
The large crowd were expecting more of the same in the second half and didn't have to wait long before a slick passing move allowed Zach Morley to score a try which Hutton converted to make it 36-0.
Credit to Biggleswade who continued to look to create and this paid off with a try in the corner.
Stamford were dominating the play though and a close range move allowed Ed Cox the ball five yards from the line and he duly obliged and powered through two defenders to score. Hutton was on target with the conversion to make the scoreboard read 43-5.
The game progressed with Stamford dominating but a rare lapse saw the visitors score their second try.
The purple, black and whites' response was to catch the kick off, pass and re-cycle up field and put Cox in from 25 yards for his second try before Hutton's conversion took the score to 50-10.
Biggleswade were still trying to get something out of the game and they made an opening for their second row to charge up the touchline where he knocked solidly into touch by Cox.
He wasn't happy about this and words were exchanged before the referee showed him a red card for violent conduct.
The game finished shortly afterwards with an emphatic win for Stamford earning them the full five match points.
They travel second placed Newbold-on-Avon on Saturday for a top of the table clash.
Stamford have strengthened their squad by signing Cameron Boyd who joins the club from National League One side Leicester Lions.
His arrival has helped give the Stamford squad greater depth to pick from and the outcome of Saturday's match will have a great significance on the promotion places.
