Back
Sat 14 Oct 2023
Daventry RUFC
Mixed Ability Rugby
43
55
MARVELS & STAGS vs DAVENTRY 4TH. 14TH OCTOBER 2023
Steven McLuckie18 Oct 2023 - 14:30
Share via
Simply MARVELous as Hughes and Sutton put team on cloud nine
The Stafford Marvels and Shropshire Stags scored nine tries in an end-to-end clash that yielded nearly 100 points.
Teenage winger-turned-centre Reuben Sutton got the try-fest underway with a wonderful solo effort when he left the Daventry defence trailing from a run just inside his own half.
And to bookend the raft of scoring, winger James Hughes showed that anything Sutton could do, he could do as well, as he ran virtually the full length of the pitch leaving opponents in his wake to touch down.
In between those pieces of individual brilliance the game see-sawed as both sides traded tries in a balanced game played in fantastic spirit.
The Marvels and Stags travelled with only nine players - but included the welcome return of Haydn Mansfield and fly half Matt Smith, as well as giving a debut to giant prop Mark Redmond. Daventry generously leant players to their opponents so the match could go ahead as a 13 aside battle.
The early exchanges were positive with a new half back pairing of Smith and Will Conaghan already showing the chemistry that would provide the launch pad for numerous attacks.
After Sutton’s opening score the home team hit back and took the lead through a couple of quick tries in the first 15 minutes. But their lead did not last long as captain Tom Dellicompagni broke free and sprinted clear to grab a try. This was sandwiched by a brace from one of the guest players which catapulted the Stafford and Shropshire side into a first half lead - with Sutton helping to keep the scoreboard ticking with a series of good conversions.
It was already proving to be a real ding-dong battle with the imposing Stafford front row of Redmond, Simon MacDonald and Matt Powell making countless carries and winning rucks across the whole pitch. They were ably supported by inspirational captain Dellicompagni at second row - who fought off a knee injury to stay on the pitch.
They set up the perfect platform for a series of back moves with the ball moving quickly between the hands from Smith to Mansfield, Sutton and Hughes.
Daventry hit back just after the break. But that only spurred the visitors on with Smith finding a gap through the middle of the home defence before off-loading to speedy Sutton who was not going to be caught.
The visitors’ guest players again combined to extend the lead before Daventry reduced the deficit with a couple of tries.
The Marvels and Stags’ advantage was under threat until Hughes supplied the coup de grace when he was thrown the ball in his 22 from the kick off and started a mazy run up the left wing evading several tackles - and then added the extra two points by converting his own try.
Stafford held on, despite being put under late pressure, to come away with a deserved victory - not just for them but for rugby - in a great advert for the Mixed Ability game.
Teenage winger-turned-centre Reuben Sutton got the try-fest underway with a wonderful solo effort when he left the Daventry defence trailing from a run just inside his own half.
And to bookend the raft of scoring, winger James Hughes showed that anything Sutton could do, he could do as well, as he ran virtually the full length of the pitch leaving opponents in his wake to touch down.
In between those pieces of individual brilliance the game see-sawed as both sides traded tries in a balanced game played in fantastic spirit.
The Marvels and Stags travelled with only nine players - but included the welcome return of Haydn Mansfield and fly half Matt Smith, as well as giving a debut to giant prop Mark Redmond. Daventry generously leant players to their opponents so the match could go ahead as a 13 aside battle.
The early exchanges were positive with a new half back pairing of Smith and Will Conaghan already showing the chemistry that would provide the launch pad for numerous attacks.
After Sutton’s opening score the home team hit back and took the lead through a couple of quick tries in the first 15 minutes. But their lead did not last long as captain Tom Dellicompagni broke free and sprinted clear to grab a try. This was sandwiched by a brace from one of the guest players which catapulted the Stafford and Shropshire side into a first half lead - with Sutton helping to keep the scoreboard ticking with a series of good conversions.
It was already proving to be a real ding-dong battle with the imposing Stafford front row of Redmond, Simon MacDonald and Matt Powell making countless carries and winning rucks across the whole pitch. They were ably supported by inspirational captain Dellicompagni at second row - who fought off a knee injury to stay on the pitch.
They set up the perfect platform for a series of back moves with the ball moving quickly between the hands from Smith to Mansfield, Sutton and Hughes.
Daventry hit back just after the break. But that only spurred the visitors on with Smith finding a gap through the middle of the home defence before off-loading to speedy Sutton who was not going to be caught.
The visitors’ guest players again combined to extend the lead before Daventry reduced the deficit with a couple of tries.
The Marvels and Stags’ advantage was under threat until Hughes supplied the coup de grace when he was thrown the ball in his 22 from the kick off and started a mazy run up the left wing evading several tackles - and then added the extra two points by converting his own try.
Stafford held on, despite being put under late pressure, to come away with a deserved victory - not just for them but for rugby - in a great advert for the Mixed Ability game.
Further reading
Team Sponsors
