Stanford 1st XV 31 Loughton 1st XV 3

Stanford participated in the League Cup on Saturday, taking on Loughton who finished mid-table in the league above. Fielding a club side, Stanford were given a 12-point handicap and from the kick-off looked as if they might need it.

Stanford soon composed themselves and when the forwards won possession, fly half Barry Stephens fed his back line and Ash Smith opened Stanford's account. Dave Kelway added the conversion. Dean Barter's desire to get around the park in both defence and attack paid off with a powerful drive to the line and fed Paul Newberry for a stroll across.

Next, Ash Smith added his second of the half - this time unconverted. After the restart Loughton came back at Stanford. Scrum half Sam Herbert was always a worry to the opponents scrum and charged down a kick, followed the loose ball and scored. Barry Stephens added the conversion.

As the match neared its end Stanford got into sight of Loughton's try line and Luke Seeley scampered over. Stanford did not need their 12-point handicap, winning 31-3 without it.