Stags lose a thriller at the Triangle

So that's how the Exeter supporters felt at the end of their game against Northampton on Saturday. Going into the final minute ahead but conceding a try in the last phase of the game to lose by six points. Rewind about an hour and some 135 miles east at Hungerford, dying moments of the game, Stags ahead by six points. A converted try later and immediately the final whistle. Hungerford 15, Stags 14. On the way back to the clubhouse the referee's assessor said, "that match was a great advert for local community rugby," and from a neutral's perspective he was absolutely right, but great advert or not it was desperately disappointing for Stags players and supporters to have come so close. The match had a lot to offer and the overriding reflection is that of defences coming out on top. A tryless first half is rare at any level but despite this the game did not lack ambition, movement and commitment and well done to Luke Fassam, making his senior debut in the centre from the Colts. Luke showed eagerness and enthusiasm and made a number of important contributions.

Stags started brightly and for the first fifteen or so minutes had a lot of possession and field position but try as they might they could not find a way through the home defence. Will Butler, Ashley Doel, Louis Carnell and Ed Dyer were prominent in carrying for Stags and even though a lot of yardage was made and great continuity shown, a few errors kept the scoreboard at nil nil. As the game went into the second quarter, Hungerford began to put some phases together and for the first time Stags were under pressure, conceding a kickable penalty. Three nil to the home side. Stags immediately forced their way back on the attack but lost an attacking lineout, only for Hungerford to do similarly at the next phase. This almost resulted in a try for Stags but Hungerford minored the ball and then managed to relieve the pressure. Back came Stags from a tapped penalty after Louis Carnell had put the opposition defence under pressure but again Stags just couldn't score, this time being held up over the Hungerford line. As half time approached, Stags mounted another strong attack after a fantastic penalty kick to touch by David Barrow. This is it Stags supporters were saying. "We must score form here," but it was another if only moment, Leroy Pyke going close. Deja vu and all that, but Hungerford held the ball up again under their own posts. Half time and Stags three points down but could have scored three tries and on another day may well have. I guess a bit like Arsenal against Liverpool in the third round of the FA cup on the weekend. If chances aren't taken it becomes difficult to win a game, any game, any sport.

The second half started with Luke Fassam taking the ball cleanly from the restart and combining with Leroy Pyke and Ben Kelly to work the ball into the Hungerford half only to lose the ball and come under pressure form the home side. This attack was stopped by a fantastic turnover form Player of the Match Hugo Dessiaume. Shouts of "Vive La France" all round. Well, er, not exactly all round but from injured Stags captain George Stevens, showing great linguistic dexterity......If Stags had had the best of the first quarter of the game, Hungerford had the best of the third quarter putting Stags under constant pressure, being rewarded with a try to take the score to 8-0. It could have been more but Will Butler won the ball and Stags were awarded a penalty from which Will makes a great relieving kick to touch. This was only temporary relief for Stags and they were soon on defensive duties again, Harry Stevens making a last ditch try saving tackle. It was difficult to see how Stags were going to get and maintain any field position to pressurise the home team. But as sometimes happens, a stroke of luck, a piece a great anticipation, an opposition mistake or a combination of all three can turn a game and when Oscar Worsfold intercepted a loose pass from Hungerford on halfway, Stags were back in the game, Oscar touching down under the posts. The conversion by David barrow brought Stags back to within two points of the lead and within five minutes, Stags had taken the lead, another Hungerford error in midfield resulting in them dropping the ball only for Oscar Worsfold to react the quickest and run in unopposed for his and Stags second try, successfully converted by David Barrow. Six or so minutes to go, Stags ahead for the first time in the match by six points at 14-8. There is always that nagging doubt at a six point margin and so it proved. Hungerford came back strongly in the final minutes of the game and with the referee shouting last play the home side mounted a string of attacks through their forwards and although Stags held out for a couple of phases the pressure became too much to repel and the home side scored a typical rumbling forwards try under the posts. Stags were still one point ahead with the conversion to come. Is there ever an easy kick to win the game? Perhaps this is the wrong question, perhaps it should be couched in more relative terms. Whatever, the kick was a lot easier than one from the touchline and it was duly slotted. Final whistle immediately the ball sails between the posts, 15-14 to Hungerford, Stags staying in mid table.

Thanks to those who travelled to support the team and here's to next Saturday, home to league leaders Reading Abbey first team. For those not intending to travel to Guildford, come along, get a glimpse of some of the future Blues players and experience Monks Lane at a more leisurely pace off the field. You might even get to learn a bit of French!