With several players on 1st team duty this was always going to be a tough match for Stanford 2nds.  Ilford brought over a strong side packed with experience and youth.

Stanford started brightly with a superb try from dynamite winger Ricky Coppard after some Stirling work by the Stanford pack. It looked like the borough team would have too much pace out wide so the Ilford side played a forwards game with close quarters rucking and mauling preventing Stanford from getting possession. Ilford got their first try and from then on battered the Stanford line time and time again. Stanford suffered from injuries and lost key players, which made things even more difficult to contain the rampant visitors.

Ilfords try of the day was from veteran forward Johnny “Dutch” Holland swerving around the Stanford centre in a one on one contest.  By half time Ilford had a commanding lead but the plucky Stanford outfit was in no mood to give up. An inspired team talk from captain Russell Jackson was just what the team needed.

The second half saw a period of 25 mins where the red men of Stanford raised their game, pressured and keep the visitors on the back foot. Aggressive and no nonsense rucking and mauling from Les Martin and Paul Newberry saw Stanford make good progress. They were rewarded with another try from Coppard from a chip and chase with the try converted. It was a very physical and bruising game and Stanford suffered again from injuries to its side.  This allowed Ilford to get back into the ascendancy and score a few more tries but it was Stanford who had the last say with an excellent try from acting fly half Matt Rumble.

Final score Stanford 2nds 17 Ilford 3rds 40 So Stanford’s winning streak had come to an end but it had taken a very strong side to take it.