Stamford Rugby Club are beaten in the final of the Papa Johns Community Cup by Brunel University

It was a memorable end to a season to savour for Stamford Rugby Club despite defeat in their first-ever trip to Twickenham on Saturday.

The purple, black and whites were playing at the home of English Rugby for the first time in their 123-year history.

Despite Matt Albinson's men going down to a 15-45 defeat against Brunel University in the final of the Papa John's Community Cup, there was a huge sense of achievement in reaching the final from everyone connected to the Hambleton Road club.

Four coach-loads of supporters had headed south to support the Counties 1 Midlands East (South) champions where they were joined by many more who had made their own to the Allianz Stadium.

It created a superb atmosphere to back a Stamford side who have enjoyed one of the best-ever campaigns in their long history.

A league title triumph will see them playing regional level rugby next term while Stamford were again dominant in the Notts, Lincs and Derbys Senior Shield competition.

They again gave their absolutely all in Saturday's final but came up against an excellent Brunel side who had been defeated in the Twickenham final last season.

Stamford conceded a flurry of tries in the opening half but refused to accept defeat and their three tries were just reward for their efforts.

They had some strong spells during the game but found the defence of the Counties One Herts/Middx London and SE Division champions a tough nut to crack.

Brunel were also lethal in attack as they took advantage of the chances presented to them to deny Stamford a terrific trophy treble having already won the Counties One Midlands East (South) title and the NLD Senior Shield.

The opening passages of play set the scene for the final as Stamford piled on the pressure in the early exchanges but were prevented from making the first breakthrough.

Instead it was the University side who gobbled up a stray pass and raced two-thirds of the pitch to score the opening try in the ninth minute.

The lead was doubled seven minutes later as Stamford were unable to replicate the defensive efforts of the student side who went over from close range.

A similar score with another successful conversion extended Brunel's advantage to 21 points despite Stamford continuously seeking a way back into the match.

Robertson and the outstanding Ed Cox were both stopped in their tracks after promising raids before the Stamford defence was cut open again as Brunel bagged their fourth try of the afternoon.

Stamford finally got the rewards that their attacking efforts deserved late in the first half when George Cox crashed over for their first score of the afternoon.

However, Brunel pretty much went straight back down the other end and scored their fifth try for a 5-33 lead at the break.

The students scored a further try 10 minutes into the second period before Stamford again cut the deficit through Freddie Chapman.

The second half display typified the attitude of the Stamford side as they continued to seek a way back into the contest and again went close to scoring on a number of occasions.

Will Andrews was inches away from adding a third Stamford try when he was bundled into touch while Pete Hurrell was also thwarted by some last-ditch Brunel defending.

The strong spell of Stamford pressure, like earlier in the game, had failed to reap its rewards and Brunel then added another try at the other end.

Iain Downer also went close for Stamford before their superb travelling support was rewarded with a try in the final play of the game as Ed Cox went over to leave the final score at 10-45.

Despite the defeat, it does nothing to detract from a sensational season for Stamford who will look back on the campaign with so many fond memories.

It has taken the club onto the next stage of their pathway and, if their current upward trajectory continues, days like Saturday could become a regular feature of the club's calendar.

Stamford: Harris, Riches, Robertson, Chisholm, Jones, Kendall, G Cox, E Cox, Hutton, Andrews, Offer, Morley, Martin, Downer, Chapman. Subs: Shaw, Ireland, Boyd, Baker, Morris, Hurrell, Chesworth.