Hemel Stags V Halifax Siddal
Stephen Marshall, Kieran Dixon, Aaron Small, Mustafa Ali, Courtney Watson, George Stevens, Cameron Furlong, Jack Kavanagh, George Gower, Tom Grange, Warren Grange, Callum Hurley, Dion Chapman, Erik Grimley
Despite a worrying short-term injury list and limited players to start with, Stags were still able to field a full squad with a two available substitutes. Stags really do need a further 2 or 3 additional players so that they might more effectively compete with the tough northern teams that they are facing each week.
The Stags home ground pitches, some of the best in the country with a generous covering of good quality grass, but the conditions following such a long period of almost continuous rain were far from the best. Rain fell steadily throughout much of the match and this can be blamed for a number of individuals handling errors on both sides.
Despite the cold and difficult conditions, the match was played at a good pace from the start, with Halifax Siddall having much the better scoring success. Siddal ran in 5 unanswered tries in the first half and this was in spite of some very good tackling and defence by the young Stags side. Siddal kept things simple and concentrated on making steady ground with each successive play and justifiably went into the half time break with a comfortable lead and the Stags prospects looked pretty grim for the second half.
The half time break obviously allowed for some inspirational words of motivation and guidance from a couple of the home team’s senior players, who had taken the trouble to attend the match. Whatever was said it seemed to work as the Stags immediately discovered a sense of self-belief and they grew as a united team during the second half.
Stags displayed tremendous courage and commitment and out scored the visitors in the second half by 14 points to 11, scoring 3 good tries in the process. Halifax Siddall did not ease-up in any way during the closing half, indeed in the 16th minute, they scored the best try of the day by moving the ball across the full width of the pitch, to bring the score to 4 : 28.
The performance by the Stags team was a rallying call for the future, as it brought all the players on the pitch much closer as a unit and proves that they can compete at this high level.
With the imminent prospect of at least two new players joining the squad within the next week and the expectation of the return of a number of currently injured players, this match could well signal a change of fortunes for the Hemel Stags.
Congratulations to Halifax Siddall for a highly polished performance and a well-deserved victory, but a very big “Well done” to the whole Stags team, who did themselves and their club proud!
Half time: 0 - 24
Ref: Simon Matthews
Hemel Man of the Match: Stephen (Ratboy) Marshall