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




Stamford remain joint top of Counties 1 Midlands East (South) after returning with a well deserved bonus point win from their short trip to Peterborough Lions on Saturday.

The purple, black and whites secured a 3-39 win at Bretton to stay level on points with Biggleswade in pole position.

They went into the derby duel looking to maintain the confidence from last week's home win and, with minimum changes to the team, hoped to produce a similar result.

Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby

The early exchanges produced some scrappy play from both sides as Stamford's attempts were being met with some dogged defence by the home team.

It was Lions who opened the scoring with a penalty when Stamford were caught offside, but this would be the only time they troubled the scoreboard all afternoon.

From a Lions defensive position, Town stole a line out and Gus Davies drove on before releasing Ed Cox for the opening try which Frazer Hutton converted for a 3-7 advantage.

Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby

Stamford lost fly half Iain Downer to injury and had to rearrange by moving Zach Morley into the number 10 position.

The half continued with passages of disjointed play by both sides as Lions were trying to break through but Stamford's defensive wall was never breached.

Hutton added two more penalties to make the half-time score 3-13 to the visitors.

Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby

The second half saw Stamford go up a gear.

They were winning good possession and releasing the backs to stretch the home defence and, from one such move, Freddie Chapman was put through for a try to make it 3-18.

When Lions were then awarded a penalty, they kicked long but did not find touch and birthday boy Dave Martin ran out of defence before linking with James Wilson to carry the move on and release Chapman to run in his second try which Hutton converted to make it 3-25.

Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby

Stamford were now dominating the match and their superior fitness was paying dividends.

From a long kick to the corner, Lions conceded a scrum which Stamford drove on and recycled for hooker Harley Riches to score their fourth and bonus point try. Hutton's conversion made the score 3-32.

The home side were desperate to get out of their half and kicked long but this was caught and ran back by Martin who chipped ahead, beat the defence for pace and touched down for a great individual try.

Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby
Stamford were victorious at Peterborough Lions on Saturday. Photo: Darren Dolby

However, the referee disallowed it after penalising a Stamford player for not retreating under the new rule.

Not to be denied, Stamford ran back the next long kick with Jones and Martin combining to allow Lewis Lancaster to score. Hutton's reliable boot added the extras to make the final score 3-39.

Stamford are at home on Saturday against Towcestrians, a club they haven't played for many seasons so a large crowd is expected hoping to see them carry on with their successful run.



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