Westcliff 4th XV 13 Stanford 2nd XV 15

Stanford II team travelled to Westcliff and faced a determined and much improved opposition. Westliff won the toss and elected to play against the wind in the first half. From the kick off the 2's were put under pressure and an unnecessary penalty gave the home team an early lead. Stanford battled their way up field and were awarded a long range penalty but Ferguson was unsuccessful. Minutes later another infringement by Westcliff gave Ferguson another opportunity to level the score and this time the ball sailed between the posts.

The Stanford pack began to dominate proceedings. Excellent driving play from Les Martin, Tony Cumbers and young Martin Johnson got Stanford within striking range. Quick ball from Russell Jackson fed Ferguson on the narrow side and a determined side stepping run saw the No10 score in the corner. After the successful conversion Stanford led by 10-3.

Westcliff strung together a series of line threatening attacks but Stanford's defence was robust and a turnover from some aggressive ruck play saw Ferguson kick a long ball for full back Mark Lennon to chase. The Westcliff defence faltered and fumbled the ball; Lennon pounced and scored. The conversion rattled the uprights but the bounce was unkind and the ball fell outside the goal. The Stanford lineout was functioning well with flanker Aaron Smith being lifted high and Steve Barter regularly stealing opposition ball. The first half ended Stanford 15 Westcliff IV 3

Second half saw Stanford playing against the strong wind and played the most part of the half defending deep inside their half. The home side made good inroads with their abrasive forward play and Stanford had to pull out all the stops to prevent Westcliff from scoring. Aaron Smith, Dean Barter and skipper Jackson were massive in the tackle zone but the constant pressure eventually told and Westcliff scored out wide. Importantly for Stanford the conversion was missed. A well taken lineout move seemed to have been extinguished by some gutsy tackling but somehow Westcliff kept the ball in play and scored a second try with about 5 minutes of play remaining. Again the Westcliff kicker missed the conversion! Things were getting very tense in the Stanford camp.

More pressure from Wescliff followed but a mistake saw Stanford clear their lines and Westcliff got a lineout near the half way line. Youngster Steve Barter got a hand to the throw and veteran, Paul Newberry caught the loose ball and sprinted up field only to be tackled just short of the line. Westcliff gave away a penalty but it was quickly taken and then turned over! The big Wescliff prop had the ball and was tearing his way back down the field. Every Stanford player homed in on him but centre Ash Smith got there first and put in a crunching tackle that sent him hurtling into the stunned spectators. The final whistle blew and Stanford had won 15 – 13. This away win gives Stanford another 4 points and cements their lead at the top of the merit table. Stanford's player of the match was Aaron Smith.

Next week Stanford II have a welcome break from league rugby and are looking for a friendly.