Stratford Development XV 0,

SCUF 10pts

FOR the traditional annual end of season fixture against SCUF (Sporting Club d'Univ-ersitaire Francais) from Paris, Stratford put out a full Development XV side.

The Stratford young hopefuls rose to the occasion with a stirring performance.

They could not quite get their hands on the Rose Bowl, presented to the winners of this long standing fixture, but they made many new friends with a courageous never-say-die attitude taking the game to the French at every opportunity.

Superior kicking and technique and a very robust pack of forwards allowed the visitors to out-muscle Stratford at key moments.

On a bone dry pitch and in conditions more suited to sun-bathing, the large crowd was entertained to a feast of attacking rugby.

Both sides swung the ball around, but the edge of the French side led to two unconverted tries in the first half.

At half-time, Stratford made several substitutions to bring on fresh legs. Ably led from the front by hooker Robbie Corbett Stratford strove might and main to get on the scoresheet.

The SCUF defence remained watertight throughout and Stratford even passed up the chance of kicking goals from two very promising penalty positions to attempt to run in tries.

But it was all to no avail and SCUF held out to the final whistle to be worthy winners for the second year running.