Uppingham School 40 Stamford School 22 HOT on the heels of their momentous victory over Oakham School, Uppingham avenged a string of defeats against Stamford School with this victory.
Both teams have had a mixed start to the season going into this always closely fought local derby.
Uppingham started the stronger and should have capitalised on good possession and space out wide.
Eventually pressure told with the winger going over in the corner.
Stamford bounced back through good work up front and pulled to within four points, Will Clough converting a penalty.
The game went from one end to the other with both teams squandering chances.
Over cautious refereeing meant neither team gained the continuity they wanted.
It was Stamford who finished the stronger with David Cook diving over from a ruck to put his side 8-7 ahead.
The second half saw Stamford start well and camp temporarily in the opposition 22.
But a loose ball following a scrum was scooped up by the Uppingham winger, who went the length of the field and scored under the posts.
Mercury photographer Bernard Hales captures the action as the schoolboys of Uppingham and Stamford lock horns.
Uppingham gained in confidence and were moving the ball wide and looking dangerous. The pressure told and a defensive mistake allowed the right winger to go in untroubled. Two minutes later the same thing happened again, almost identically. Stamford rallied and fought back. Good work from Chris Breslin and Rob Gordon set the platform and Will Clough dived over after good forward pressure.
Uppingham responded through quick hands from the backs and once again pace out wide made the difference. Another late surge from Stamford allowed Sam Harris to crash over from close range.
Stamford coach David Laventure said: "We made far too many mistakes and they are punished at first XV level."
