MISTLEY Rugby Club enjoyed a 23-19 success against Stowmarket's second team, at Furze Hill.

In the sides' first Eastern Counties League game of the season, Mistley had won 41-15.

However, on this occasion, even though they eventually prevailed, it was nowhere near as comfortable.

Mistley were poor and uncoordinated in the first half.

They showed signs of over-confidence as the visitors scored first, before adding the conversion.

Mistley began to improve and, after a penalty was awarded to them, Matt Course successfully put the ball over the post to reduce the deficit to 8-3.

However, with their big pack, Stowmarket upped the tempo to score twice more and by half-time they led 19-3.

Mistley coach Dai Kenyon and captain Nick Graves expressed their disgust at the team's performance during the break.

And their team-talk certainly had the desired effect because the team's performance was vastly improved in the second half.

With new players on the pitch, Graves led by example and, despite Gary Booker being yellow-carded for a high tackle, Matt Aspinall ran through three players to score under the post, duly converted by Course.

With the deficit reduced to 19-10, Mistley continued to pressurise the Stowmarket players.

Course successfully kicked another penalty before a lovely kick from Sam Ackerman, aided by Aspinall, sailed over the Stowmarket full-back.

Graves scooped up the ball and duly scored.

For the first time in the game, Mistley were in the lead after another successful Course conversion at 20-19.

Finally, with five minutes to go, Course kicked another penalty from 30 yards out, on the sideline, to ensure the final score was 23-19.

Will Vine and Nick Graves were joint men-of-the-match.

Meanwhile, the Mistley Marauders' fortunes changed dramatically as they were beaten 72-0 at Hadleigh.

Despite this, the team are now lying third in the table, five points behind Hadleigh who are on 44 points.

The Marauders have a game in hand, which they play tomorrow against Brightlingsea.

If they win, it should put them back as leaders.

The kick-off is at the earlier time of 1.30pm and the game is being sponsored by The Red Lion, of Manningtree.