CMK Senior As hosted the unbeaten New Plymouth Old Boys (NPOB) in a must-win match.
Stratford started strong and opened the scoring through a Matthew Kissick try with Jordan Masters converting.
NPOB hit back with a try of their own to level the scores before NPOB took the lead. Stratford managed to keep close with a couple of penalties to trail 17-13 just before the break.
With a misguided kick not making touch, NPOB were able to score twice to extend the score out to 29-13. Stratford managed to score through Leone Nawai to close the gap. NPOB again extended before Stratford came back through Kolaia Nalewabau. The score was 36-27 when NPOB were scored from a knock on and to make matters worse, Nalewabau forgot what side of the ruck he was supposed to come from and was sent to the bin.
Stratford again managed to score through Simon Bailey breaking through three tacklers then sprinting 40m. With the score now 43-34, Stratford had hopes of a strong finish and looked likely to score only to be bundled into touch in the corner.
Final Score 43-34.
Many players stood out including openside flanker Shane Denham who made upwards of 20 tackles and Jordan Masters whose goal kicking and positional play was outstanding. With hopes of making the top four now over, the team wants to finish as high on the table as possible.