Stevenage Town RFC

The difference between the sides was that Stevenage were far more resolute in defence and took their scoring opportunities well.

With six tries to two, the Stevenage win was built on a strong performance in the set piece, good work at the breakdown and penetrating running in the backs.

Stevenage weathered an early onslaught by Kilburn Cosmos and took the lead in the 8th minute. A good midfield break by Gareth Lewis created a ruck close to the Kilburn Cosmos line from which scrum half Alex Beaumont went over for the first of his two tries of the afternoon. Lachlan Kirk added the conversion.

Kilburn Cosmos came back strongly but Town extended their lead in the 19th minute. From a scrum inside their own half, a move involving Beaumont, Ian Crompton and Tom Sellwood was finished by Alex Banna supporting on the inside to finish a fine try. Kirk again added the conversion.

From a position of dominance, Stevenage let that grip go when they conceded a poor try from their perspective in the 22nd minute. A penalty was conceded for a tackle offence close to the Stevenage line, which was quickly taken and Kilburn’s Andrew Hutt crashed over to score. Fraser Hutt added the conversion and the home side were back to within one converted try.

Kilburn Cosmos pressed hard for that equalising score but the Stevenage defence held out resolutely and the teams went into half time with Stevenage leading 14 – 7.

Town had the advantage of the wind in the second half and pressed home their advantage up front with four more tries.

Kilburn Cosmos were architects of their own downfall with Stevenage’s third try when a quickly taken twenty-two metre drop out went badly wrong resulting in a penalty under the posts, which Beaumont took quickly to score. Kirk added his third conversion of the afternoon.

The try bonus point was secured in the 53rd minute. Another penalty was taken quickly and captain Scott Quarmby put in Todd Dawson to score wide out on the right.

Town put the match beyond doubt in the 58th minute with their fifth try. The second row combination of Quarmby and Phil Pearson combined as Pearson stole a Kilburn Cosmos line out and was propelled through the gap in the line out by Quarmby to complete the score.

Stevenage were now well in control with a lead of 31 – 7 and they were guilty of a lapse of concentration, when an unforced error resulted in a second Kilburn Cosmos try in the 76th minute. A poor pass into midfield, close to the Stevenage line, led to a penalty under the Town posts, which like the first Kilburn Cosmos try was quickly taken and this time Rhys Davies went over to score. Hutt added the conversion to bring the score back to 31 – 14 in Stevenage’s favour.

There was still time for Town to add a sixth try and in the final minute, Kirk executed a perfect dummy to create a gap for him to score from thirty yards. He then converted his own try to cap off a good afternoon’s work for the team.

Stevenage Town Team: Michael Wilson, Gareth Lewis (Andrew Malins 57 mins), Ian Crompton, Todd Dawson, Tom Sellwood (Dave Anthony 54 mins), Lachlan Kirk, Alex Beaumont, Reece Crucefix (Bradley Cook 20 mins) (Jack Zbucki 73 mins), Darren Outram, Jack Zbucki (Reece Crucefix 41 mins), Phil Pearson, Scott Quarmby, Ben Hodge, Wes Moore, Alex Banna

Subs not used: None

Tries: Alex Beaumont (2)
Alex Banna (2)
Todd Dawson
Lachlan Kirk

Conversions: Lachlan Kirk (4)