Stanford's 1st home league game of 2008 was one of mixed fortunes, Tony Goshmanski deputising as skipper for the day rang the changes and drafted in a handful of players from the depths of Stanford's growing player base, who it was felt deserved a start in teh 1st XV

Playing with the wind behind them it took Stanford time to gel as an outfit and things did not look promising when Stanford placed themselves under pressure by giving away a series of penalties in their own half, May & Baker slotted over one of these penalties and this was to be the only score of the half.

May & Baker ran everything at the Stanford line and great defensive tackles from Ash Smith and Liam Morley kept their try line intact and Stanford were able to clear their lines again and again with the assistance of the wind and the able boot of fly-half Callum Reid, although they were unable to convert any of the pressure in the May & Baker half of the field into points. Stanford's forwards foraged well in the loose, with the back-row of Matt Vear, Ryan Trigg and Paul Newberry all working hard.

At 3-0 down and playing into the wind skipper Goshmanski made a couple of changes at half-time and Stanford responded by putting pressure on May & Baker from the restart.

Stanford's pack piled on the pressure and from teh resulting enalty Paul Newberry drove for the line and slipped the ball to Dean Barter who had come into the back-row at half-time for his 1st XV debut to score the try for Stanford. Callum Reid took the conversion from out wide and as the ball looked to be going over it dropped agonisingly onto the cross-bar and bounced out, Stanford were not to know then how close that kick was to winning them the game.

Shortly after scoring Stanford gave away what was their only penalty in the second half and May & Baker took their opportunity to take the 3 points on offer to put them in the most slender of leads.

Stanford tried and tried to the end to cross the line or gain a penalty in a kickable position, but all without success as may & Baker held onto their lead.

Stanford however should be proud of the display of passion that has been missing for most of the season.

 

Next week sees Stanford travel to play Ravens in the league.