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Bullish Stamford aim for final showdown
Stamford Rugby club will go into the semi-finals confident, regardless of who they are drawn against next in the Midlands RFU Vase.
They vanquished Lincoln 18-15 in Saturday’s quarter-final despite a late scare and skipper Matthew Albinson is relaxed about Monday’s draw for the next round.
The skipper, who showed a burst of pace to prevent Lincoln grabbing a late winner, said: “There is not one side that we are fearful of.
“We are not complacent but there does seem to be something flowing with this team this year.”
Stamford could have put Lincoln out of sight well before their hosts reduced the gap but ultimately Stamford’s better fitness was rewarded.
After early penalties were exchanged, Richard Thompson capitalised on a favourable bounce to score Stamford’s first try inside the opening ten minutes. The kick was converted and the score remained that way for the rest of the first half.
Lincoln reduced the deficit when they moved the ball wide after a couple phases deep in Stamford territory for an unconverted try but Thompson pulled Stamford further ahead with an unconverted try after combining well with Albinson and Chris Fletcher.
Lincoln then levelled, scoring a try which Stamford maintained was held up over the line but Albinson kicked a second penalty three minutes from time which proved to be the winner.
“We were 15-8 up and threw away a couple of good chances to extend the lead,” complained Albinson.
“There was a sense that it was our own mistakes that had got us into this position. There was never any doubt that we could come back
Stamford face struggling Old Newtonians in the Midlands 3 East (South) tomorrow and Albinson is adamant that his side cannot afford to ease up against when top meet bottom at Hambleton Road.
“That is one of the challenges,” said Stamford’s captain. “On the face it they be rock bottom but they might be coming good.
“Last year we lost to bottom sides and that could have been what cost us promotion.”
Tomorrow’s match starts at 2.15pm.
Stamford: Matt Helstrip, Angus Green, Jake Wilkins, David Bushrod, Hames Ragg, Cam Park, Tom Wire, Bruce Parker, alessio De Goudeia, Matt Albinson, Chris Fletcher, Austin Schwartz, Mark Taylor, Richard Thompson, Patryk Schuter. Reps: Matt Jane, David Young, Joe Allen.
Wellingborough 29
Stamford College Old Boys 15
Stamford College were beaten by Wellingborough in a re-arranged league fixture on Saturday.
College started the stronger with backs of Durrant, Johns, Pattinson and Bates running the ball well, and their efforts were finally rewarded when Bates crossed the line under the posts with Johns making easy effort of the conversion.
Gradually Wellingborough’s heavy runners worked their way down the pitch to score a converted try before half time.
College were then on the back foot after the break and although Johns kicked a penalty and Bates a second try, Wellingborough managed to pull away in the second half.
The College Old Boys hosts Aylestone Athletic tomorrow afternoon needing a victory to lift them off the foot of the Midlands 4 East (South) table. Kick off is at 2.15pm.
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Weather for Stamford
Tuesday 18 June 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 14 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
