On a cold and windy Saturday Stanford travelled to Ongar for their penultimate league game of the season.

Stanford opened up the scoring with a whole team effort. Starting with a powerful scrum from the Stanford forwards, putting the home team on the back foot. The ball was then passed down the line for winger Jack Kenworthy to score in the corner. Fullback ‘Scrumpy' converted from out wide, which was impressive in the windy conditions.

Stanford took control of the game winning all their set pieces and a few of Ongar's. Ongar fought hard in the rucks and mauls but the Stanford forwards had the upper hand. The Stanford backs played intelligent rugby with lots of breaks coming from centres Danny Jackson and Liam Morley. Fly-half Calum Reid scissored with Jackson who then handed a player off (half a dozen according to ‘Jacko') to go over for the second Stanford try. ‘Scrumpy' duly converted.

Ongar fought back hard which rewarded them with a score from their fullback who chipped through and accelerated onto the ball to touch it down.

Russ Kennedy went over next for Stanford. The ball coming from a ruck to fly-half Reid who gave a lovely inside pass to second row Reece Anderson which gave him the opportunity to break through the defence. Once through he passed to Kennedy who powered his way over the line. Once again ‘Scrumpy' converted.

Second row Anderson soon went over for a score of his own. From an Ongar line-out, Stanford's No.8 (and team bus!) went through to steal the ball and showed soft hands to put Anderson in. ‘Scrumpy' slotted the conversion taking the half time score to 28-5.

Ongar came out fighting in the second half and unsettled Stanford and had most of the territory and possession keeping Stanford in their 22 for long periods. Ongar's tactic seemed to be to kick into the corner, fortunately for Stanford the Ongar line-out wasn't working too well. Stanford lost their focus for a while but did well in defence despite giving Ongar opportunities.

Ongar's perseverance paid off when their tight-head broke through for a converted score. The tight-head had played well all game, Stanford's loose-head and skipper praised him. ‘He was difficult to contend with in the scrums, we had a good old fashion battle'

Stanford's first half dominance was enough to give them a 28-12 win. Stanford travel to Brighlingsea on 21st Feb for a must win game to give them promotion.

A big thanks to ‘subs' Baz Stevens & Neil Boultwood who stood and froze!!