On a bone dry pitch,  where the scrums kicked up the dust,  it was a game where contrasting styles made for a thoroughly entertaining game. The Stags full of energy and at times over-enthusiastic,  while a more experienced Rovers tackled hard and took their opportunities with a late rally closing the points gap to just one score.

Big Nick Bennions, who only started playing rugby at the end of 2023, was the Stags’  hero scoring four tries - despite being one of the many players to be rotated to allow the whole squad some game time.

His first try came after a dynamic start by the Stags who were playing towards the packed clubhouse terrace. Excellent support play and good handling had the visitors on the back foot and being penalised by referee Mark Harrington. Bennions unstoppable from a catch and drive line-out with Zac Southern wide with the conversion.

The lead was only to last five minutes as Rovers’ skipper Ste Railton raced clear up the left wing from his own half. Daz Fawcett adding the extras from out wide, as he normally does.

With Aidan Jackson-Smith, Matty Baggs and Charlie Kay leading the way the Stags resumed their dynamic attacking,  with the Heughers No 8 sent to the bin after a team warning from Mr Harrington.

Bennions seizing his opportunity from another catch and drive with the conversion again wide.

The Heughers were on the back foot with Fawcett opting for a penalty shot from his own half as they tried to ease the pressure.  It came back off a post, which took the Stags  defence by surprise as they messed up as Rovers were quick to chase the kick. From the scrum the ball was quickly moved out to the left  where they managed to force a gap with Fawcett again adding the extras to give his side a four point lead.

That lead was increased to nine points  when Fawcett put in a deft grubber kick from the half-way line  with the West defence losing the foot race to the touchdown.

Fawcett missed the conversion, but his side went in 19-10 to the good despite being on the back foot for much of the half.

The Stags began the second half in the same lively fashion. They quickly reduced the margin with Greg Edwards finishing off some good handling in the 22 with a neat finish between the posts.

And it was Bennions who regained the lead as he took a neat back-hand pass close to the line with Southern taking the score to 24-19.

He was unstoppable again as the Stags kept up the pressure, and it looked like the game was over when the lively Matt Baggs darted his way over to take the score to 36-19.

However, the Heughers weren’t prepared to lie down. Jay Corbett, on for one of his rare cameo appearances, was yellow carded as he put in a high tackle as the Heughers barged their way to the line. The visitors taking advantage to whip the ball out to the right to touchdown in the scoreboard corner with five minutes left.

The Stags were still 12 points to the good, but anxiety set in when the Heughers once again moved the ball quickly out wide against a tired Stags defence. This time the score was in the left  corner and just too wide for Fawcett to convert.

With thoughts going to what would happen if the score was level at full-time and, despite nobody wanting any extra time on the concrete pitch, the Heughers gave it one last go.

However, the Stags girded their loins,  forgot about their blisters and were able to hold out for  the “double” – CaNDY 2 South and Pyman Cup champions.

They can look forward to a competitive season in CaNDY One next season against the second XV’s of the region’s leading clubs,  while we will once again be able  field a third XV with West Hartlepool Bucks being accepted into CaNDY Division Three Central.  In a nine team league, and with little travelling, we look forward to seeing some of our former first team players passing on their skills  to the next generation of former Academy lads.

Hopefully they’ll all be playing on more forgiving pitches.