Stanford’s Captain Barry Stevens led his team out to another win to extend their winning run of 6 / 6 in 2008. This time it was league rivals May and Baker who were put to the sword by an impressive team performance.

 

Stanford started brightly when centre Liam Morley chipped the ball deftly over the opposition and gathered a sweet bounce and race for the line. Grant Ferguson kicked the extra points. From the restart the Stanford forwards led by No 8, Paul Newberry drove into the May and Baker side who infringed and gave away a cheap penalty. Ferguson was on target and Stanford and stretched the lead to 10 points. Stanford continued to dominate scrums and lineout. Scrum half Ben King was a thorn in the opposition side with his sniping runs. The ball was shipped wide at every opportunity. One such attack saw prop forward Darren Watkins appear “Lomu like” sprinting down the tramlines and set up speedy winger Ricky Coppard for his first try for Stanford.

The home team dug deep and fashioned an attack and got close to the Stanford line. May and Baker made 7 changes to their pack and won good ball to feed their backs for their centre to score. Stanford replied immediately with another well-worked try, this time scored by flanker Simon Hobson.

Half time saw a few changes in personnel but it was more of the same as Morley set up full back Ashley Smith with a good back move to score in the corner. It was unusually hot for a February afternoon and the water girl, Alison was kept busy keeping the players hydrated. 

  Hooker David Payne was on form with his throwing in at the lineout and the had plenty of choice of targets with Steve Barter, Ryan Trigg and Russ being cleanly lifted for clean possession.  After some intense pressure the Stanford side were awarded another penalty and Ferguson slotted it over with ease.

May and Baker came back with a score of their own but it was Stanford who had the last say with Ashley Smith getting his second try of the day.

Final score May & Baker 14 Stanford 33