Stamford Rugby Club are victorious against Peterborough Lions
Stamford recorded their biggest victory of the Counties 1 Midlands East (South) season after a convincing success over Peterborough Lions on Saturday.
The purple, black and whites ran out 59-7 winners and now hold a 13-point advantage at the top of the league table.
It was the third time in the last four games that Stamford had hit the half-century points mark as they completed a league double over Lions following their 39-3 win at Bretton in October.
With players returning from injury and travels, coaches Matt Albinson and George Cox had the luxury of resting some of their squad with two fixtures this week.
Town started well and a quick release to James Wilson saw him run in an early try.
However, it was the visitors who struck next with some good support play which allowed them a try that was converted to give them an early 5-7 lead.
This was the only time they would trouble the scoreboard in the game though as Stamford soon got back into gear.
A long range move by Wilson and Harley Riches was finished off by Frazer Hutton who added the conversion to make it 12-7.
Town's running and passing game had Lions going backwards and it was another long range strike that was recycled for Iain Downer to score and Hutton to add the two extras.
Stamford then entered a period where their usual cohesion was lost and silly errors were creeping in but, when they won a penalty, they went wide at pace and Wilson finished in the corner for the bonus point try that made the score 24-7 at half-time.
With five league points now available. Stamford were playing with confidence and, despite Lions winning some good possession, they were unable to turn this into any points.
When Lions lost the ball, Stamford swept it wide for Freddie Chapman to cut back for a try which Hutton converted to make it 31–7.
The purple, black and whites were now in complete control and used the driving maul to gain ground before prop Joe Ireland peeled off for a try which was converted by Hutton.
From the kick off, the ball was taken by Dave Martin who ran through would-be tacklers before off-loading to Austin Baker, running a good support line, to score his first try since returning from injury.
Hutton was spot on with the conversion and the score read 45-7.
The visitors were showing signs of fatigue and this was exploited by the home forwards who drove them backwards to allow Ireland to score again for his third try in two games.
Harry Ayton slotted the conversion for a 52-7 lead.
Credit should go to Peterborough Lions who were putting in a lot of effort but unfortunately gaining little reward and, when Ed Cox latched onto a loose ball and went on a mazy 50 yard run, he scored a try which Ayton converted to make the final score 59-7.
Stamford have an NLD Senior Shield match on Wednesday evening at Lincoln before returning to league action on Saturday against Old Laurentians in Warwickshire when they hope to consolidate their position at the top of the league.