Market Drayton Rugby Club made a stunning start to their league campaign with a remarkable 95-3 victory over near neighbours Stone.
The Ravens only narrowly missed out on a century of points as they ran in a hatful of tries.
The win was made even more impressive considering the side were without Mason, Pemberton, Tokai and Tavernor for the clash.
But the squad was still a strong one with Drayton motivated to continue where they left off in the previous week’s strong performance.
The Ravens started at a frantic pace, and after only five minutes they broke through.
A Chris Spencer drive off a line out was finished by blind side Panapasa Matarisiga and Jamie Spencer converted.
Two minutes later, Drayton went blind off a scrum, recycled to lock Chris Cook who made 30 yards before unselfishly offloading to winger Nick Vincent. Spencer again converted to extend the lead to 14-0.
Mez Burns, revelling in his first start as open side, made a jinking break before popping to Matt Eardley who was in support to score as Drayton opened up a 19-0 advantage.
Drayton have historically sat back, but a new found steely resolve meant Stone were to be in for a long afternoon. On 17 minutes, Drayton again went blind off a scrummage and after a couple of phases, prop Mike Jefferies powered over.
Full back Dave Adams then ran from deep, switched with Vincent, and after further interpassing, Matarisiga was on hand to finish a fine move. Spencer converted to extend the lead to 31-0.
Drayton were dominant at the scrum, and this platform allowed winger Matt Barker to dive over, and on the half hour, impressive hooker Stu Williams burrowed over following several phases. Spencer converted, and repeated the feat three minutes later after a precision chip and collect himself, to take the score to 50-0 at the break.
The green and blacks kept the pressure on in the second half, and Matarisiga secured his hat-trick showing great pace and strength to run in 50 yards.
Although Drayton were hindered when scrums went uncontested following an injury to a Stone prop, centre Ally MacDonald capped his return from illness when he went over to finish a fine back move. Spencer converted both tries for a 64-0 lead.
On 55 minutes, Matarisiga again read the game to appear in support of Adams, then skipper Chris Spencer powered through after receiving line out ball off the top. Spencer converted, and seven minutes later, Vincent benefitted after turnover ball. Chris Spencer and Matarisiga then repeated the first try to provide the Fijian with his fifth try of the afternoon. Spencer again converted to take the score to 88-0 with 10 minutes remaining.
To Stone’s credit, although struggling to cope with Drayton’s pace, at no stage did they give up, regularly getting the third man to the breakdown and turning the Ravens over.
They enjoyed their best phase of the game and deservedly slotted home a penalty to get on the scorecard.
Spencer closed proceedings by outpacing Stone at a quickly taken penalty, which Matarisiga converted to make the final score 95-3. There were recriminations in the changing room as blame was apportioned as to why the century wasn’t attained, but Drayton’s increased clinical approach is bearing dividends.
Drayton will be away to Fiveways Old Edwardians in the Midlands Vase this Saturday but will be without Spencer Cook and Miles who are all unavailable.
