Stamford Rugby Club beat Bourne in Counties 1 Midlands East (South)

Stamford gained revenge for just one of three defeats during their title-winning campaign as they beat Bourne at Hambleton Road on Saturday.

The purple, black and whites had been beaten 13-10 in their first meeting of the Counties 1 Midlands East (South) campaign at Milking Nook Drove back in December.

But they responded to that loss and a defeat at Spalding in their previous outing by running out 22-7 winners in atrocious conditions.

The game at Bourne had been played in a howling gale and this match at Stamford had a prolonged downpour for the first half.

Both sides adapted to the conditions and Stamford knew that the visitors' recent upturn in results meant it was not going to be an easy afternoon.

Town used the short passing and support runners' plan to take the attack to Bourne but some resilient defence and slippery conditions meant they couldn't get the breakthrough they were looking for.

It finally arrived when a slick blindside move by Hutton and Andrews created a gap for James Wilson to score in the corner to register a 5-0 lead.

Stamford were getting more into the game and Bourne were further handicapped when a player was yellow carded for a high tackle.

Town's response was to set up Ed Cox for a drive over try which Hutton converted to move the score to 12-0.

Stamford continued to press with Jones, Cox and Chisholm leading the way while the visitors were penalised again for a high tackle resulting in another yellow card.

Town again took advantage as Cox crashed over for his second try with Hutton adding the extras to extend the lead to 19-0 at the interval.

The second half saw the weather improve and Bourne began to put some moves together but were unable to break the Stamford defensive line.

Town were now moving the ball wider by bringing centres Morley and Lancaster into the game but their only reward was a penalty kick converted by Hutton before Bourne created and finished a converted try.

Both sides were attacking at every opportunity - Bourne to close the gap and Stamford looking for the bonus point try - when Jones received a yellow card for a high tackle.

Despite the best efforts of all, no further scores were made and the game finished as a 22-7 victory for Stamford.

It was their 18th success in a 21-game campaign where director of rugby Matt Albinson has continued to seek improvement from his championship-winning side.

He said: "We are focussed on ensuring each and everyone of the lads is on the right track to fulfil their rugby potential.

"We want to continue to develop our approach to how we play and that comes from making good decisions based upon what is in front of us and that is an aspect of our development that the boys are fully aware of and want to excel in across the team.

"Winning is hugely important as it creates energy and motivation and increased commitment levels, however, it has been the standards we have set for ourselves and the way in which the lads have interacted that has set the tone and made it an easy job to reshape the way we play the game.

"We want the lads to be excited to play within the side and those watching on to be entertained but equally our focus is on continuing to develop towards being a dominant side at the highest level possible.

"We want an aggressive defence system, a set piece that is creative and robust and an attack that constantly wants to find space and attack it in numbers and with precision."

The purple, black and whites have one remaining league game when they travel to ever-improving Bugbrooke on Saturday, April 5.

Attention turns to the NLD Men's Senior Shield on Saturday when Stamford entertain Counties 1 Midlands East (North) neighbours Kesteven.