Kicking down the slope in the first half it was the home side that began the stronger with some surging runs into the Stags half and with just 3 mins on the clock they conceded a penalty for going to ground at a ruck 25 metres out which the Horden full-back kicked quite easily, (3-0).

The Stags pack then began to put pressure on to their opponents particularly in the scrums where Horden were on the back foot all of the game. After a period of pressure in the: top right hand corner of the pitch on the 25 minute mark. As a result of some slow ball from a ruck some 7 metres out Smart did a pick and go round the fringe and broke through the home defence to score the games opening try, converted by Waites (3-7).

Five mins later after a series of offences the Referee gave a penalty some 30 metres out but he then took exception to a remark from one of the Stags players and moved the penalty 10 metres closer which the Horden full-back calmly kicked (6-7).

From the kick off the Stags drove back up field and after some astute kicking by Waites the forwards were able to win a quick ruck on the 34 min mark and some sharp interplay in the backs allowed Waites to slip through a gap from twelve metres out to score which he converted (14-6) there was no further score in the first half.

The Stags kicked of the second half and immediately had the Horden pack under considerable pressure with a series of five metre scrums and lineout’s however they defended very well and it was not until the 60th minute that the stags decided that Waites should kick one of the penalties they had been awarded (17-6).

The Stags continued to apply pressure on their host but they defended their line very well until the 72nd minute mark in the gathering gloom, they won a quick ball from a ruck on the left of the field 10 metres out and Armstrong ran onto a well timed pass from Waites on his inside shoulder to split the home defence and score under the posts, converted by Waites (24-6).

With the game seemingly over in what was near darkness 3 mins later Myers was given the ball midfield some 35 metres out and despite the attentions of at least five of the home teams players he managed to wriggle through their tackles and sprint in for a well deserved try under the posts for the final score converted by Waites (31-6).

This was a well deserved victory for the Stags against a committed Horden team who said after the game that they were looking forward to the return fixture in the New Year.


Stags: A. Coates R. Wood, J. Greenwell, B. Lloyd, S. Smart, J. Baggs, (A. Myres 20 mins) A. Cameron, P. Williamson, S. Waites, T. Barff ( J. Cole 40), S. Cavey, G. Edwards, T. Armstrong (M Pearce 73 mins), S. Jordan. Referee K Hudson Durham Referees Society