Imperial Medicals 3 Stevenage Town 22 Stevenage Town, sponsored by Hill Partnerships, had made their New Year s Resolution to win the rest of their league games after the surprise defeat by Vauxhall Motors before Christmas. However, a committed display by

Imperial Medicals 3 Stevenage Town 22

Stevenage Town, sponsored by Hill Partnerships, had made their New Year's Resolution to win the rest of their league games after the surprise defeat by Vauxhall Motors before Christmas.

However, a committed display by an Imperial Medicals side could have quite easily derailed expectations in atrocious conditions.

An almost perfect pitch at Teddington held up well in the torrential rain, while some other games in London were postponed.

Medicals started well and were intent on scoring first. Resolute Stags defence held out the advance, as the home side sought to launch their attack through domination at the lineout.

An infringement at the tackle zone gifted Medicals a kick at goal and their number 10 duly slotted it between the sticks to give them some reward for their consistent attacking play.

Opportunities to attack the Medics line came slowly although Stags were quick to take advantage of the home side's mistakes by converting the handling game to foot.

Michael Wilson hacked through and won the chase for the ball and the touchline. The conversion was missed to end the half.

The second half started and the heavens opened again to make conditions treacherous.

Repeated attacks in the Medicals 22 gave the Stags a good platform to set up try-scoring opportunities from the base of the scrummage.

The home defence held well and it took over five phases of ruck ball to allow scrum-half Ian Crompton the space to score.

From the restart, Stags were resolved to repeat this play and took the game into the Medicals half and a second try soon beckoned for Crompton. The conversion was again missed.

As the rain ceased and the sky lightened, Stags' backline had the chance to run some lines with good interplay from Wilson and Crompton and then the supporting Gareth Lewis.

Lewis wrong footed the defence to dance under the posts and also give him his first conversion of the day to ensure the points.

Stags will host London New Zealand at North Road this Saturday (2.15pm ko).