The half back partnership of Callum Reid and Grant Ferguson was impressive and the Stanford forwards provided just enough ball to trouble the visitors. Basildon were to score next after a cheap penalty led to their massive number 8 breaking several tackles to score.

Stanford however had the last say in the first half with another excellent score from winger Smith. With Stanford’s Dave Kelway in fine form with the boot Stanford found themselves a well-earned lead 21- 17 at half time.

Stanford extended their lead early in the second half with Ferguson scoring again from a well-worked move involving forwards and backs. Basildon came back strongly and their veteran centre showed he had plenty of gas and helped to create a try for the Basildon winger. Stanford replied with a well-worked try of their own. Hooker David Payne threw a superb long ball to Dan Langley at the back of the lineout who fed the speedy backs. The ball was shipped quickly to their try machine Smith who scored in the corner.

Stanford had a big squad of players to draw from and a number of changes were made and this initially disrupted the cohesion of the side. A moment of ill discipline led to the Stanford fly half being sent off. Basildon took advantage of their extra player and really put the pressure on the home team. The visitors scored two good tries and got to within 4 points of the Stanford lead. Stanford’s Rob O’Connell, Paul Newberry, Tony Goshmanski and Dean Barter had excellent games and led the way in rucking and mauling.

Stanford’s Liam Morley took things into his own hands and instead of kicking from inside his own 22 metres he decided to run the ball and after some poor first time tackles weaved his way up the field to half way. With the spectators cheering him on he sprinted past the would be tacklers and scored a decisive try under the posts.

Another excellent passage of play saw Matt Rumble break the defences to score and put the game out of reach for the visitors. It was Basildon who was to have the last say in the game with a try but it was just too late as the whistle blew for full time. Stanford’s ace kicker Dave Kelway scored 5 / 7 conversions. Russell Jackson was full of praise for his team and proud that the Stanford seconds have taken another impressive scalp from local rivals.