Hertfordshire Rugby Football Union 

Press Notice 

Stags Subdue Sussex 

Hertfordshire Stags 27 Sussex U20 3 

Hertfordshire Stag subdued Sussex U20s in their opening match of the RFU National U20 Championship thanks to a splendid display by their forwards in the loose, which resulted in a 27-3 win. 

Handicapped by lack of preparation due to the recent bad weather, the Stags XV took some time to gel against a Sussex side that had played the previous week. However, from the beginning the forwards showed great energy in the loose and won most of the early possession. It took some time for the Stags to take full advantage of this, as the kicking from hand behind the scrum was so wayward that for a time the backs decided to run all their possession. This lead to some frantic play with no pattern established. There was more continuity in the second half and although Sussex had a better half territorially, there was much more fluency in the Stags play resulting in three tries. 

The lively start by the Stags forwards was soon rewarded when Sussex were penalised at a line out on their 22 and skipper Louis Gabriel (Harpenden) opened the scoring to put the Stags 3-nil up after seven minutes. The home side continued to exert pressure, but poor kicking from hand meant that they were not able to establish a platform near the Sussex line. Sussex were forced to concede penalties in the loose and their No 8 spent 10 minutes in the sin bin. During this period the Stags worked their way into the visitor's 22 where they conceded another penalty. The Stags tapped, moved the ball and prop Rob Schillaci forced his way over for a try that was converted by Gabriel.  

Restored to full strength Sussex, finally put some pressure on the home line, but it was short lived and the Stags were soon back in the Sussex half. On the half hour the Stags should have extended their lead but after some good running by the backs the final pass went astray with the line at their mercy. Sussex came back and for the final five minutes or so had Herts in some trouble. A chance for 3 points from a penalty was kicked wide and the home defence held to give the Stags a 10-nil lead at half time. 

Early in the second half the Stags won two scrums against the head, but on the second occasion their scrum half was caught and Sussex took play into the home 22. They won a penalty and from the subsequent line out the Stags were offside as Sussex drove for the line. Fly half Alex Marsh (Christ's Hospital) reduced the deficit with an easy kick. The home side was now showing more fluency in their team play and they built the pressure on the visitors. Mid way through the half, a Sussex clearance was fielded by wing Carl Buckingham (Hemel Hempstead) who soon linked with his backs and Gabriel ran through the broken play to score, adding the conversion himself.  

Sussex responded and almost scored but their left wing was bundled into touch just short of the line. Then the Stags ran the ball from inside their 22 and the move went the length of the field before wing Michael Allen (Hertford) touched down to make it 22 -3 to the Stags. Finally skipper Gabriel rounded off his excellent afternoon with a second try and the Stags had won 27 -3. 

Next Sunday the Stags travel to Eaton Manor RFC for their postponed encounter with Essex U20. 

Hertfordshire Stags: Scott Clewlow (Welwyn); Michael Allan (Hertford), Mitch Clare (Bishop's Stortford), Louis Gabriel (Harpenden) (Capt), Car Buckingham (Hemel Hempstead); Tory Harcourt (Welwyn), Tom Flint (Univ of Herts); Rob Schillaci (Hertford), Nick Dean (Cheshunt), Charlie Hughes (Old Albanian), Sam Barrow (Tabard), Dan Calnan (Tabard), Alex Casey, Duane Brand (Hitchin), Alex Banna (Stevenage Town).

Replacements: Josh Gilmartin (Hitchin) (Dean 53 min), Luke Richards (Stevenage Town) (Schillaci 74 min), Wes Moore (Stevenage Town) (Casey 74 min), George Hlavaty (Hertford) (Flint 53 min), Aiken Verschuur (Hitchin) (Buckingham 74 min), Alex Nolan (Allan 74 min).