The 1st XV were on the road this week to be hosted by newly promoted Stevenage Town RFC.

It was a close game on a sloped pitch which had kickers on both teams eagerly eyeing up pinning kicks to the bottom left corner, execution was another question altogether and Stevenage were first to execute their patterns, benefiting from a slow start by UCS (and a few lacklustre tackles) to score the first try. The first half was a bit of a slow burner with both teams struggling to build momentum and capitalise on any pressure that they had built, due to numerous penalties at a messy breakdown area. Glimmers of what both teams could produce at their best were on display with some big carries, quick feet and decisive ‘don’t argues’ distributed throughout the game, with die-hard UCS ultras Duncan and Steph enthralled on the sidelines.

UCS seemed to wake up later in the first half and started to assert more dominance in the collisions and outwide. A period of high pressure resulting in a strike move try from a 5m scrum, Ollie Bos selflessly putting Gabe through the gap and under the sticks. Converted by Diego.

Possession switched hands frequently throughout the next period of play with neither team being able to hold on to the ball for long enough to really make anything happen. Penalty counts on both sides were probably outpacing the scoreboard at this point, until Olly C managed to create himself some space in the outside channel with his pace and some clever footwork to send Scrum-Half General Diego over the whitewash. Extras were not added on this occasion from a tricky angle.

Half time: just enough time for a gulp of water and a quick team hug.

Once again Stevenage started the brighter, making the most of the slope in their favour to put UCS on the back foot. After a tough defensive set and no shortage of grit and heart on display the line was finally breached.

UCS fought back strongly controlling the final 15 mins of the game, mainly pinning Stevenage back in their half, courtesy of some big upfront hits (Jonny C and Dan R with some notable contributions in this matter), hard work and pressure which often forced Stevenage to kick long into the waiting arms of Conrad at full-back, who enjoyed a solid game under the high ball and launched a number of counter attacks leaving would-be tacklers in his wake.

Eventually, the pressure told with Stevenage mistiming their line-out on their own 5m, allowing David ‘Chaos’ Cohen to channel his inner Messi to control superbly with his feet and beat two defenders on the dribble before expertly dotting down for his maiden try for the 1st XV, and what a way to do it, it was truly befitting of the great man.

Final score Stevenage 10 - 17 UCS OB

MoTM - Dan Roche who was born to soar at the line-out and who demonstrated his physical prowess in the loose, with a number of big hits and dominant carries.

DoTD - Shared between Olly C, Gabe and Harry who let the backs down by getting caught by a forward when clean through. (If we could have given it to the oppo for enthusiastically stamping on their own man in a ruck, we would have)

Congratulations to Jack W for his 1st XV debut, hugely impressive and we look forward to seeing more of him.

Excelled: Backline shapes looking really sharp and dangerous in the wide channels. Forwards dominant in collisions

Improvement: forwards open play positioning, all players ruck clearout and discipline, backs game management (we played a lot of the game around the halfway line, i.e. in the wrong area of the pitch)