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Stamford Rugby Club are pushing for promotion in Counties 1 Midlands East (South)




Promotion has gone from being a dirty word to one of excitement and reality for Stamford Rugby Club.

The purple, black and whites are currently sitting in pole position in Counties 1 Midlands East (South) after an impressive campaign so far.

They have lost just two of their 17 league matches this term and currently hold a healthy advantage over second-placed Vipers of Leicester.

Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby

Stamford need 13 points from a possible 25 in their final five league games to be crowned champions and return the club to Regional 2 Midlands East for the first time in more than 30 years.

Director of rugby Matt Albinson explained: "We spoke early in the season about leaving the jersey in a better place than it has been in modern times, albeit the focus was more toward the attitude and manner by which the squad played their style of rugby.

"Behind the scenes though, there was a clear determination that this season would be the one where promotion was not a dirty word but one of excitement and reality.

Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby

"Fast forward seven months and we are on the verge of securing such."

Stamford took another step towards a title triumph with a bonus point win away at Towcestrians on Saturday.

A strong first half performance gave Stamford a 7-22 lead at the break before their Northamptonshire hosts hit back after the interval to leave the final outcome at 26-30.

Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby

It means Stamford have scored more than 550 points this season while conceding 236 which is the fewest in the division.

Albinson added: "We know that a high functioning defence that operates like Scrooge's balance sheet is the key to further success this season.

"We have conceded just 13.88 points per game this season which is less than two converted tries and a statistic that demonstrates why we have been so dominant on the scoreboard when the attack averages 32.58 points per game.

Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby

"The squad in good shape ahead of what some may say is the season defining month of February.

"We've got five league fixtures left between now and Saturday, April 5, and never has there been such expectation in and amongst the club."

Stamford's next match is on Saturday, February 15, when they travel to Vipers for a table-topping tussle.

Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby

The purple, black and whites were 38-18 winners in their first meeting of the season with the Leicester side at Hambleton Road.

A win would take Stamford to within one victory of returning to level six of the rugby pyramid.

Albinson said: "We are treating each week as it comes and giving the boys a chance to put their best foot forward in training to secure a jersey.

Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Action from Stamford's away win at Towcestrians on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby

"We are also ensuring we tighten up certain aspects of our attack and defence to ensure we keep developing our performance levels.

"The boys are hungry, they are fully committed to the job in hand and are not getting ahead of themselves in regard to the league position."

Stamford are also through to the semi-final of the Notts, Lincs and Derbys Men's Senior Shield after their recent 30-33 win at Lincoln.



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