Fixture

This was the Stars first game since the beginning of November and they started cautiously. However they soon got into their stride and scored the first try of the game. Brad Jones powered over the line to score the try which was converted by Nathan Hughes. Unfortunately the Stars then relaxed and let Caldicot in for an unconverted try. Each team then had a penalty each and just before half time Caldicot scored a converted try to make the score at half time 15-10.

The Stars played well in the first half and probably the score didn't reflect the effort they put in. On two occasions they should have scored two tries but were not clinical enough. The Stars midfield of Simon Hughes & Michael Lindon carried the ball well and broke the line a number of times but unfortunately the support was lacking. Full back Nathan Hughes was sound under the high ball and put completed some long line kicks. The referee also penalized the back line on a number of occasions for offside but seemed a little inconsistent as he wasn't as pedantic with Caldicot!

Hooker Matthew Davies come off the bench for the start of the second half and made an immediate impact finishing off the move of the match by powering over in the corner. Nathan Hughes converted the try from the touch line giving the Stars the lead 17-15. The Stars maintained this lead through good defensive work from Simon Hughes, Nathan Hughes & Ross Martin. Some big carries from forwards Martin Gower, Brad Jones & Gavin McDonald kept the Stars going forward & the front row had a definite advantage over the Caldicot front row. However the Stars suffered from a lack of match fitness and Caldicot scored 3 tries in the last 15 minutes to win the game 34-17. The controversial yellow card of outside half Dan Evans did not help the Stars cause.

Martin Gower was awarded the man of the match award  for the number of carries he made and his all round general fitness. This was his first game of the season after injury problems and was a welcome addition to the Stars team.

Stars players need to work much harder in training if they are to avoid relegation; their lack of fitness was definitely the deciding factor in this game.