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Hemel Stags V Castleford Lock Lane

 

Location: Pennine Way

0 - 24 after 16 minutes.

32 - 34 after 56 minutes.

Final Score: 32 - 50

The third match in their league and yet again 50 points were scored against the inexperienced and young “Stags under 18’s team”, who were beaten today by an impressive and disciplined outfit. This could well have been all there was to report, but there was another and potentially much more significant side to this fixture.

Castleford started the match at a tremendous pace and embarrassed the Stags at their home ground by putting 24 unanswered points on the board in the first 16 minutes, but then the Stags woke-up and actually started to believe in themselves. (Scoring three Tries in the first half, but only managing to successfully convert once).

The second half started in the same manner as the first with a very early converted Try for Castleford, taking their score to 34 points, where it was to remain for the next 25 minutes. Stags however mounted a very spirited recovery and came to within just 2 points at 32:34.

Alas the Stags recovery was eventually countered by some very good play from Castleford late in the game, which resulted in three tries in the last 10 minutes of the match. The late rally by Castleford together with their consistently superior kicking throughout the match resulted in the final 18 point winning margin that somewhat flattered the worthy victors.

Apart from the devastating opening 15 minutes of the game, Stags actually won the theoretical points scoring contest throughout the rest of the match and consequently they should collectively take great encouragement from this encounter, during which they displayed considerable ball skills and demonstrated a much enhanced team spirit.

Conclusions:
(1) Stags were beaten on the day, congratulations to Castleford, have a safe journey home!
(2) Stags have many faults and issues to be addressed by both players and coaches alike.
But most importantly:
(3) It seems that there is now a good platform to work upon for future development.
(4) All Stags spectators including the club chairman (Bob Brown) were proud of their team.

Half time: 14:28
Ref: Tom Mather, John Cadogan, Tom Logan
Tries:
Goals:
Hemel Man of the Match: Matt Meek

Wally of the Week Award: Kieran Dixon for missing too many conversions

Match Report in the this week's League Express

Hemel Stags recovered from a difficult start to give Castleford Lock Lane a run for their money with debutant Matt Meek a stand out for the Stags. Centre James Sinkiw Ben Mawnson and Ben J ohnston, all converted by James Woods, had the visitors 18-0 up within 12 minutes. They had another
touchdown ruled out for offside, Dale Boyle then making it 24-0. Jack Molloy and outstanding winger Keiran
Dixon got the hosts on the board, Dixon converting his own effort but their renaissance was halted by Mawnson’s second. Just before half time Dixon broke clear from half way for his brace although his conversion hit the post. Ben Wilkinson extended Lock Lane’s lead at the start of the second half, Molloy reducing the deficit and triggering a fine come back. Stephen James with a side step and George Gower crossed for the Stags and when Clark Squires converted his own touchdown, the gap was only two points. Cas finished strongly, though, Woods, Mawnson with his hat trick score and James Clare completed the try scoring. | |

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