Stamford Rugby Club aiming for honours in Counties 1 Midlands East (South)

Director of rugby Matthew Albinson has hailed the camaraderie within the Stamford camp as they gear up for a tense finish to their season.

The purple, black and whites have four matches of their Counties 1 Midlands East (South) season remaining.

They currently sit in third place but the two teams above them - Market Bosworth and Daventry - are both within touching distance of Stamford.

Three of Stamford's final four games are at home, starting on Saturday when they host Old Laurentians at Hambleton Road (2.15pm).

That's followed by the visit of Bugbrooke the following weekend before a potential promotion-decider at Daventry on Saturday, March 23.

The league campaign concludes on Saturday, April 6, with a home match against Long Buckby where Stamford could be in a possible position to clinch promotion to Regional 2 Midlands East after an excellent run of results.

They secured their sixth successive league win on Saturday with a 24-26 victory at neighbours Bourne after Harry Bentley kicked a conversion to clinch the success with the final action of the game.

Albinson said: "The energy and enthusiasm on show, the camaraderie and the growth in numbers is testament to the fantastic environment that each and every player, coach and team creates.

"We have had a fantastic run of results and the run-in is going to be tense from Saturday to Saturday.

"One loss or a missed four-try bonus point could well be the difference for any of the three teams come the last standings."

The success of the Stamford sides have also continued with the women's team being crowned NC2 Midlands (North) champions.

They have amassed 339 points in attack while only conceding 109 to date. They conclude their league campaign on Sunday against Ashfield.

Their attention will then turn to cup rugby with a title defence in the Notts, Lincs and Derbys competition and their first outing in the Lincolnshire Cup following its cancellation last season.