It was, therefore, particularly pleasing that whatever the combination of front row used the scrum was an area of dominance. And with wet conditions plenty of handling errors meant plenty of scrummaging, a reported 35 in total and at 90 seconds per scrum that’s 52.5 of the 80 minutes with backs getting wet and cold!

Dom Cox came in at full-back for his senior debut and Matty Baggs returned from cricket and holidays commitments to replace Jacob Parker at 9. Dom putting a sterling performance through-out and despite conditions Matty’s distribution was solid.

West scored their first try on 14 minutes as they pushed Guis backwards on their own ball. Jordan Baggs driving forward and Alex Johnson picking from breakdown to force his way over from a full 1 metre, Zac adding the extras 7-0. Conditions seemed to worsen from this point but West continued to attempt to move the ball as often as possible. This endeavour allowed Ethan Wilkins to run in a try out wide to extend late to 12-0, the academy grad looked dangerous in attack and strong in defence. Unfortunately, in scoring it looks like he may have tweaked a hamstring. Fingers crossed not too serious and we see a quick return. West third try again came from the dominant scrum and Matty Baggs showed great tenacity to bounce on a loose ball to score.

HT 17-0

As per first half West had vast majority of ball for the 8 minutes it was in play! Midway through the half another barging run from Jordan Baggs and offload to Toddy saw the veteran centre skip his way in from 35m to score an excellent try, extras added 24-0. Guisborough pushed for a conciliation try in the last few minutes but solid goal line defence from the lads left Guisborough with no return for their efforts.

Despite the number of scrums and awful conditions West probably left a couple of scores on the pitch. Regardless this was an excellent first win of the season for the Stags. Last season this is a game that the Stags, predominantly young team (12 Under 21’s playing), would likely have lost but with young players “stepping up to the plate” and senior players adding guidance a now rounded team got a well-deserved victory. Next up local rivals Old Boys in an early kick off.

FT 24 – 0

Cox, Painter, Todd, Wilkins, Mould, Southern, Baggs, Adamson, Johnson, Pennick, Allison, Webb, Robertson, Kay, Baggs. Sub (used) Traeger, Liston (Spud), Coates, Godfrey, McClurg (not used) Mixie & Moss

MOTM: Louis Adamson – dominant shift on the loosehead from the youngster with a double sidestep the icing on the cake!