Stamford Rugby Club win their opening league game against Bugbrooke

Stamford staved off a late fightback to make a winning start to their Counties 1 Midlands East (South) season on Saturday.

The purple, black and whites looked on course for a comfortable victory when they led a well-drilled Bugbrooke side 30-10.

But their Northamptonshire visitors produced a rousing finale to score two converted tries and leave Stamford as the 30-24 winners.

Town welcomed four players making their league debut in Gus Davies at flanker, Tom Chesworth at fly half, George Culley on the wing and Freddie Chapman at full back.

The game was played in near perfect conditions and Stamford made a bright start, cheered on by a large touchline crowd, and were unlucky not to score early on.

Bugbrooke have never been an easy side to play and they matched Stamford in the early exchanges.

The breakthrough came when a good handling movement was finished off by Ed Cox’s unstoppable run which saw him score under the posts for the opening try.

Ian Downer, who was back in the side after breaking his leg last season, hit the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

Town continued by using their strong runners to carry the ball before releasing the backs and one such move saw them reach the line but the ball was held up for a drop out.

The Stamford forwards were getting more dominant in the scrums and Chisholm and Jones were providing good line out possession and, when the visitors went offside, Downer kicked the resulting penalty.

Bugbrooke quickly showed their determination from the kick off and ran the ball back for a try out wide to make the score 10-5 at half-time.

Injuries meant Stamford had to change players for the second half with both Riches and Hurrell replaced.

It was Bugbrooke who scored first to level the contest with a good move to send their winger in at the corner.

But, in reply, a move out of defence released Zach Morley to make good ground before Tristan Small took it on to score and Stamford were 15-10 ahead.

From another running move, Town were awarded a penalty for a high tackle to increase their advantage to 18-10.

Stamford were now moving the ball well from any broken play and Chesworth released Dave Martin on a wide arching run which he finished under the posts. Downer converted and the scoreboard read 25-10.

It was good running and on hand support that was paying off for the hosts and, when Small broke through, he had Downer in support to score the fourth try which secured the bonus point.

Some sides may have caved in at this point but Bugbrooke showed their mettle by going on all out attack and ran in a try which they also converted to make it 30-17.

Stamford were then disappointed to concede a further try in the closing moments as the visitors ran the length of the pitch to score and make the final score 30-24.

It was a good opening performance by Stamford who will look to build on this to go forward to this weekend's encounter at newly promoted Biggleswade.