Preview: Winless Stags desperate to get off the mark against the Scorpions

Hemel Stags will be looking for a positive reaction this weekend when they take on South Wales Scorpions in Kingstone Press League 1.
Match action from Hemel Stags' defeat to York. Picture (c) Kevin ReadMatch action from Hemel Stags' defeat to York. Picture (c) Kevin Read
Match action from Hemel Stags' defeat to York. Picture (c) Kevin Read

The Stags were hammered 60-0 at home by York City Knights last time out and are still looking for their first league win.

Coach Troy Perkins said: “There were 42 missed tackles against York and that’s the reason the score was like it was - it was very disappointing.

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“We had a good look at ourselves on the video and hopefully we can turn it around this weekend against South Wales.

“We’ve got to turn it round otherwise it’s going to be a long old season. We get a few players back this week, and we’ve got a few dual-registration players from London Broncos which is going to help.

“We’re going to be a lot stronger this week and if we sort out our one-on-one tackling we’ll go a lot better, that’s the big focus for us.”

New signing, backrower Marcus Stock, will be available for selection.

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South Wales Scorpions, meanwhile, were hammered 64-0 at home by Toulouse Olympique last week.

Coach Phil Carleton said: “Credit to them, they were great. Everything stuck when they threw it, they play a great brand of rugby and they were much better than us on the day.

“We were a little disappointed they got away from us so much but the guys had a great experience.

“Some of the guys who haven’t played as much said it was the toughest game they’ve played and you learn quite a bit from that sort of thing – where they want to be, where they’d like to be as individuals and as a team.

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“We haven’t dwelled on it, we’re now fully focused on doing a job against Hemel. We’ve had an early win but they’re still looking for theirs.

“I think everything’s null and void when you come to a game like this, it comes down to who performs best on the day.

“Whoever gets the basics right, completes their sets, looks after the ball and makes the tackles will come out on top. Fingers crossed that will be us but I know Troy’s boys will be working hard too.”