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'Brutal' Stags 'can go all the way'
Hemel Stags' 'brutal' pack was the key to the rugby league side's success in the first round of the play-offs.
The Hemel club racked up a massive 24 points in the second half of their home match with Dewsbury Celtic on Saturday and conceded none in return.
Coach Troy Perkins said he saw enough to convince him that his side can go all the way to the RLCN Grand Final this year.
"Our defence has been good all season and it was again," said the Aussie.
"It was impressive and quite brutal at times.
"The first half was close but the physicality of the game took its toll on the opposition and they struggled to continue their effort in the second half.
"We play Huddersfield in the next round and they have won their last eight games.
"They are going to come to us full of confidence but I think we have got a team just as decent as any other in the competition and on our home ground there's no reason why we can't get another win."
Stags were just ahead at the break 12-11, Danny Crabtree and Danny Thomas making the most of Stags lapses to go over in the 12th and 32nd minutes respectively.
Gareth Swindells equalised Crabtree's opener shortly after the restart.
James Harmshaw's kick edged Celtic in front, but Matt Mizzi drove over, with Swindells converting, to restore the lead before Thomas brought the visitors to within a point.
Second half it was a different story as Mizzi put added his second to extend the lead minutes in.
The men in yellow and blue never looked back.
Man of the match, the massive Michael Crosby broke through to dot down on 65 minutes before the ball found its way to Barry John Swindells who sidestepped two players to sprint over.
His conversion made it a 12-point haul for the Stags stalwart.
Five minutes from time Jason Price fed Ash Fyson who crashed over in the corner to finish the scoring.
The game with Huddersfield Underbank Rangers kicks off at Stags' Pennine Way ground at 2.30pm on Saturday.
A win will set up an away tie with the winner of Bramley Buffaloes v Warrington Wizards, a game which decides who gets to play in this year's Grand Final.
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -6 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to -0 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South east
