ANGUS Wightman crossed for two tries as Stratford-upon-Avon RFC battled to a hard-fought 19-13 victory against high-flying Newent.
Wightman touched down either side of half time with Nathan Geekie also crossing for a try as Stratford withstood late Newent pressure to claim the points at Pearcecroft.
And the result means Stratford sit sixth in the Regional 2 Midlands West table.
Prior to kick-off, the club paid a touching tribute to honour the late Dr. Ken Holley, a former player and president at Stratford, with a minute’s applause, highlighting the profound impact he had on the club.
And Stratford made an electrifying start to take the lead after just five minutes as stand-in prop Wightman crossed for the game’s first try from hooker James Paterson’s throw at a lineout.
However, Newent responded with a converted try and a penalty to take a five-point lead heading into the break.
The visitors put Stratford under serious pressure at the start of the second period before fly-half Geekie jinked his way to the line to score under the posts with Dan Whitby converting.
And the home side stretched their lead to nine points when Wightman crossed for his second try of the game following a clever tun from Jack Young with Whitby again adding the extras.
Newent kicked a penalty to reduce the deficit as Stratford held firm in the final 10 minutes to secure a seventh win from their last eight league matches.
Stratford are next in action away at Ludlow on Saturday, January 20 with kick-off at 2.15pm at The Linney.
