MATCH REPORT BY GEOFF OTTLEY
On a fine afternoon, the stage was set for an open and expansive game of rugby, and Stones wasted no time in making their intentions clear.

From the kick-off, Stones started brightly, forcing the visitors to clear their 22. After collecting the resulting kick, Greg Wood quickly moved the ball on to Harry Dean, who sprinted down the touchline to score in the corner. The conversion was successful, giving Stones an early 7-0 lead.

Playing with confidence, Stones continued to move the ball well, with both forwards and backs demonstrating excellent handling skills. Their attacking play was rewarded when Louis Watson finished off a well-worked move for a converted try, extending the lead to 14-0.

The visitors gradually regained their composure and began to apply pressure in the Stones 22. Sustained attacks eventually paid off as they crossed for an unconverted try to reduce the deficit to 14-5.

Stones responded immediately. Strong, direct running combined with good ball distribution drove them back into attacking territory, and Cairo Ellis powered his way over for a converted try to make it 21-5.

From the restart, Stones continued to build momentum, but a turnover allowed the visitors to kick deep into home territory. Unfazed, Stones launched another attack, creating space for Tatenda Majachani to score in the corner and increase the lead to 26-5.

The hosts continued to attack with purpose, repeatedly breaking through the visitors' defence. Callum Palmeri then crossed for a converted try to make it 33-5. With confidence growing and the visitors beginning to slip off tackles, Greg Wood burst through the defence to score another try, giving Stones a commanding 38-5 lead at half-time.

The second half began with the visitors showing renewed determination. They forced Stones onto the back foot and camped inside the home side's red zone before eventually scoring a converted try to bring the score to 38-12.

Stones hit back after the restart. Despite being reduced to 13 players following two yellow cards, they mounted an impressive attack and Louis Watson crossed for his second try of the afternoon, stretching the lead to 43-12.

As the game entered its final stages, it became a scrappy affair. A combination of injuries and a growing penalty count disrupted Stones' rhythm, causing them to lose much of the momentum that had defined their first-half performance.

The visitors capitalised on this and forced their way over for a converted try with the final play of the match. However, it proved only a consolation score as Stones ran out deserved 43-19 winners after an entertaining contest.

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TEAM
Elliot Jones, James Cousens, Jack Baker, James Stewart, Lewis Hammerton, Ryan Furlong, Dave Jarvis, Alex Price, Greg Wood, Callum Palmeri (c), Harry Dean, Louis Watson, Cairo Ellis, Tatenda Majachani, Woody Faires. Subs:- Kyle Deakin, Owen Chapman, Ryen Morton