Swans Match Report
| Bishop's Stortford 38 |  |
Staines Swans 8 |
Saturday 14th January 2012
National League 3 London & SE
National League 3 London & SE
Staines went to Bishops Stortford on the back of a good win last week, optimistic at the their chances against the leagues most in form team.
Alas it was not to be, with the home team making good use of the opportunities that come there way running in 6 tries to 1. Without the injured Charlton and Palmer, Head coach Greg Knights had to make the changes. Bringing back into the fold the long overdue return of veteran Giles Walker, on to the bench and a reshuffle of captain Tom Cleary into the Lock position.
Tom Cleary competing for the ball.
The Swans had their chances in the game, which up to half way could have gone either way. It was only a resilient defence from the home side and some poor handling by Staines that allowed Stortford to go forward and punish the away team.
With only a Chris Wells penalty to show for their efforts in the first half, Staines were going to have work hard to get something from the game.
The pressure started to show on a Staines side when the impressive Stortford back row pounced on a loose ball at the breakdown and worked together to score a well supported try.
Bishops Stortford on the attack. No8 Chris West closing them down.
The real shining light on a bleak day for Staines was the debut of the young Wasps full back Ollie Foster. Linking well with fellow back 3 players Lewis Pruce and Jon Webber, they worked well and posed a constant threat out wide with the ball in hand.
Staines wing Jon Webber
The games only real reward for the Swans, was to come at the end of the game with big Junior Harrison crossing the line to score a consolation try for the away team.
Director of Rugby Rod Jermy again was concerned as backrow Danny Edbrooke suffered an injury that could keep him out for next weeks home visit to the Reeves of Dorking. "There are so many injuries at the moment it is going to be a hard couple of weeks for Greg and his team but I am more than confident that as a whole the squad will come through this a much stronger and wiser team from all these experiences".
Bishop's Stortford 38 (12)
Tries; Irving, Stocker, Winter, Rea, McCraith, Harris
Conversions; Colman 4
Staines Swans 8 (3)
Tries; Harrison
Conversions; Wells
STAINES SWANS were:
Foster, Cornish, Wells, Webber, Pruce, Brady, Meakin, Bachour, Thomas, T Jones, Cleary (capt), Harrison, Kinnell, Edbrooke, West, Walker, Price, Lee.
Mucky Ducks also playing at the Reeves won a very competitive game 38-5 against Basingstoke 3XV.
Next week Staines Swans and Cobs travel to Bishop Stortford.
