The Stags put together their best eighty minute performance of the season to record what was by the end a comfortable away victory at Old Elthamians’ scenic and almost rural Foxbury, near Chislehurst, HQ. Our hosts had hitherto been playing their home games at the neighbouring Barts and the London RFC ground but their own lower lying and therefore considerably heavier pitch was set against an impressive backdrop of autumnal hues. The Stags , looking for a fourth successive victory, started the day in 8th place in the league with the home side, promoted via the play-offs last season, a very respectable 6th , positions that were to be reversed in the course of the afternoon.

CS - profiting from an early numerical advantage after the home winger had been carded for a dangerous tackle – drew first blood after barely 5 minutes when fly half Scott Hadden broke to go over after a driven line–out and converted.

Old Elthamians, fielding the league’s most successful kicker, struck back with two penalties and indeed would have been in the lead had an earlier effort by Tom White not hit a post and it was clear that any CS infringement within 45 metres risked being punished. It was a warning from an opening period much punctuated by the whistle - with both sides offending in equal measure – that the Stags eventually heeded and, indeed, it was a game from then on in that the Stags were to dominate fairly comprehensively territorially.

Good work at another sumptuously driven line-out from a penalty kicked to the corner resulted in a try for flanker Joe Clarke and the Stags were indeed good value for the 6-12 lead that they took into the interval.

Some of the home side’s tackling had looked a little fragile and the Stags’ backs had been finding half gaps too although it was skipper and second row Cameron Reed, having a fine game, who scored five minutes into the second half. Not long afterwards White knocked over another penalty for the Old Boys’ side but their attacks with ball in hand were being well contained. It was a different story the other way round and centre Tim Wells secured the bonus point try after more less than robust tackling. With Scott Hadden’s this time successful conversion the Stags were looking pretty comfortable at 9-24 and the best part of half an hour still to play.

Although largely controlling territory a rare foray up field by our hosts did bring them the next try and a second missed kick by White but it was the Stags who put some final gloss on what had been a polished and very satisfying performance with a final try from Paul Whelman.

CS 1863 Scorers:

Tries:

Hadden
Clarke
Reed
Wells
Whelman

Cons:

Hadden (2)