Stags lose at Thatcham

I guess many people will have favourite words, words that mean something to them, words that for whatever reason stand out amongst all the other thousands of words in the English language. One such word for me is "cyclical." The dictionary definition states it means things that, "occur in regular patterns," and this season seems like a new cycle is starting, new players coming through from Colts, players like Harry Waye Branch, Will Osborne, Tom Cole and Harry Stevens did about five or six seasons ago. At that time, playing for Stags it seemed inevitable they would one day play for Blues and that is the feeling for a number of the lads who have just graduated from Colts and are playing their first full season of senior rugby. On Saturday at Thatcham, Stags had eight of these young players in their team and they all showed a level of commitment and skill which was fantastic. So well done to Seb Burgess, Harvey Cole, Matty Fox, Charlie Hart, Charlie Lewis, player of the match Isaac Nelson, George Shakespeare and and Jack Ward. Throw into the mix Robin Swann who is one of our regular touch players who has converted to contact rugby and who has already got two Blues caps and the future of the club is in good hands. There is no doubt in a a few years time or perhaps sooner, some or all of these players will follow Robin and be playing Blues rugby. Its not all about youth though and good on John Bastable, former Blues player, Dan Evans one of our Bulldog veterans and coach Paul Archer. All three will turn out if Stags are short and they did exactly that last weekend.

Thatcham versus Newbury is a long established local derby and at a rather soggy Henwick both teams took the field hoping to get local bragging rights and the game was in the balance until the final six or so minutes. With Stags ahead, Thatcham scored two late tries to secure the victory, one from a pushover scrum and one an individual effort from their number ten, from well inside his own half. It was a game of mixed fortunes, with Thatcham taking the initiative early on. Warning signs about Thatcham scrum dominance was evident from the start and this superiority eventually proved decisive, putting Stags under pressure for a lot of the game. That's not to say Stags didn't have their chances and their own period of pressure and in many ways the game ebbed and flowed, with the lead changing hands a few times.

Thatcham started the stronger and Stags were under pressure from the kick off . Robin Swann made a try saving tackle and Charlie Lewis made two tackles almost one after the other to keep the home side out, but at ten minutes in, the pressure finally told and Thatcham scored their first try after they disrupted a Stags lineout. Stags then began to exert some pressure of their own and Robin Swann almost scored in the corner after a great pass form Isaac Nelson. Unfortunately this period of play ended when Thatcham made an effective exit and went down the other end of the pitch to score their second try to make it 10-0. With the scrum under pressure and the wind making accurate lineouts difficult to execute, Stags were finding it hard to build pressure and secure effective field position. However after Thatcham's second try Stags fought back well and had their best period of the first half. George Shakespeare, whose kicking and general game management throughout was first class, found an excellent touch from a penalty and this set up the position from which Stags scored their first try. A quick tapped penalty by Paul Archer, a break by Robin Swann and moments later Charlie Hart was in for Stags opening score. The conversion by George Shakespeare made the score 10 -7 to the home side and Stags were back in the game. The revival did not last long though and increasing scrum pressure told almost immediately when Thatcham scored from a pushover try on Stags ball. The whistle for the interval blew soon after making the half time score 17-7.

The second half started with Jack Ward taking a fantastic catch from the kick off and making ground into the Thatcham twenty two. A couple of little mistakes though cost Stags this promising position and Thatcham were able to relieve the pressure and then one of those bizarre incidents that sometimes occur on a rugby pitch. Captain George Stevens made a break down the right wing and when challenged put in a delightful kick forward and with Robin Swann outpacing the Thatcham defence a score looked inevitable, but sometimes inevitable doesn't always work and at the last moment the ball bounced randomly into the post and put it just outside the reach of Robin. Aagh..... A penalty later and Stags were back in their own half. During this period of the game though, it was Stags who were having the best of it and another break, this time by Ben Davies set up a very good attacking position but the supporting players were forced into touch five metres out. Winning the lineout, Stags then almost scored in the opposite corner. With confidence now on the up last season's coaches' player of the year Louis Carnell scored in the corner. Another successful conversion by Shakespeare and Stags were only three points adrift with momentum all with them. Thatcham then rallied a bit as the game entered its final quarter but a yellow card for the home team gave Stags an opportunity to attack with purpose and when Matty Fox crossed for Stags third try of the game, another successful conversion by George Shakespeare put Stags ahead by four points. Five or six minutes left, Stags ahead for the first time. A bit like England in the semi final of the World Cup, simply consolidate and from the touch line, "simply consolidate," is easy to say but not so easy to execute and like that World Cup game against South Africa the scrum was to prove decisive, not an attacking one as in England's case but a defensive one which Thatcham absolutely nailed and pushed Stags back over their line for a try to regain the lead at 24-21. Almost immediately Thatcham scored their fourth try of the game, an individual effort from their number ten, running over half the length of the field to make the final score 31-21.

Couple of reflections from the game. Both sides found it difficult to secure effective lineout ball given the windy conditions and that throwing to the front was a better option; both tens controlled the game really well, showing attacking intent and a kicking ability, from the tee and the hand, which would not be out of place in a higher level of rugby. Great to see, particularly the way George Shakespeare varied his kicking; the crucial difference between the sides was the scrum and with five Stags forwards just out of Colts against a very experienced Thatcham front five, it was always going to be a difficult scrum day but what a learning experience for our young lads and well done to to them for sticking at it to the end and coming so close; sometimes the final score doesn't reflect the game as a whole and this was one of those occasions.

Intense local rivalry on the pitch, absolutely; great welcome off the pitch, absolutely. Pre match there was a President's lunch and many thanks to Thatcham President, Monty and Chair, Slobs for their welcome and hospitality. Berkshire RFU President Geoff Cohen was a guest at the match and his aim is to visit as many clubs in county throughout the season. Here's looking forward to welcoming Geoff at Monks Lane later in the season. He has been a lifelong player and member of Maidenhead RFC and it was encouraging to hear him speak about the importance of grass roots rugby and the effort he is putting in to making sure everyone he comes into contact with at a high level within our game knows the issues facing clubs like ours.

Thanks to all those who turned up to support Stags on Saturday and an unsung hero, our medic Jaz thankfully had a relatively quiet day and on a weekend when concussion news is all around us, whatever the outcome of the match the best news is no serious injuries to players on either side. Rest week on Saturday and then back to it on 2nd December with a home game against Henley II. With Blues away at Witney for those who prefer their rugby more local, see you at Monks Lane.