Fats Stags start a new decade

The Fat Stags kicked off the new decade in an entertaining fixture against Millfield Old Boys under lights at Chiswick RFC. A fast start saw the Stags and their Old Isleworthian teammates roar into an early lead with three brilliantly executed tries.

Authoritative game management and elusive footwork from Scott Gourley at 10, helped by some direct running from bruising centre pair Brendan Gibbs and Dawsy, punched holes in the opposition line and created space out wide. This space was expertly exploited by the footballing skills of Jonesy at fullback and the try scoring instincts of Paddy Tomlinson and Stags debutant - and Teddington rugby royalty - Jono Venter.

Up front the Stags were faced with a younger and bigger pack who presented real problems at the set piece. Credit goes to the starting tight five of Burto, Banger, Wallace, Colin Rance and Tep Crowder, debuting at hooker, for solving the problems and creating a steady platform after their initial difficulties. With Splash delivering the ball on a plate at the back of the scrum, Justin Scott closing down all and any attempts at attack on the blindside, dynamic debutant Phil Studt brought serious workrate and go forward from openside.

Unfortunately, as so often happens, a couple of lapses of judgement allowed the opposition some easy scores just before half time and eroded the Stags' previously healthy lead. The second half saw a number of replacements take the field, and whilst they played man for man as well as their predecessors, some structure went out of the game. Matters were made worse when the Stags were rather too sporting in giving the opposition a loan of their youngest and fastest players, Jack and Tyler, when their team became depleted through injury.

All in all it was an enjoyable game with moments of real quality and cohesion and, but for a dubiously disallowed try from Justin and a couple of balls being held up over the line, the score would have reflected the evenness of the teams.

Thanks to all who made the rearranged venue, props in particular to new Stags Tep, Jono and Man of the Match Phil.