Stags fall to champions

SCUNTHORPE STAGS 21 CRADLEY HEATHENS 68 (NATIONAL LEAGUE)

SCUNTHORPE STAGS fell to a predictably heavy defeat to the Cradley Heathens at the Eddie Wright Raceway yesterday (Sunday) – the team who won the National League in 2013 and are likely to win it again in 2014.

With Danno Verge away riding in a training school in Denmark, plus those out injured, the Stags were missing four of their declared line-up while facing by far the strongest team in the league.

Sam Chapman made his debut for the Stags, scoring a dozen points. The rest of the Stags battled hard, but to little reward.

Team manager Richard Hollingsworth said: “This was the toughest meeting for the lads – we always knew we were up against it. At least, we got over 20 points. We will score more points in every other home league meeting from now on; this was the hardest meeting.”

“Full credit to Cradley, who have assembled a side containing some terrific youngsters.”

SCUNTHORPE 21: Sam Chapman 12, Steve Jones 3, Adam Extance 3, Sam Woods (no.8) 2, Ryan MacDonald 1, Adam Kirby 0, Liam Sanderson 0, Arron Mogridge r/r.
CRADLEY 68: Tom Perry 15, Nathan Greaves 11+2, Paul Starke 11+1, Steve Worrall 10+2, Matt Williamson 9+1, Max Clegg 7+2, Danny Phillips 5+3.