STANFORD Rugby fell short in their quest for the President’s Shield as Ilford Wanderers ran out 35-12 winners.

The first XV defied their tags as underdogs in the early stages of the encounter as some early attacks showed their intent but they were pushed back into their own half by a relieving penalty kick from Ilford.

From their line-out Ilford quickly formed a strong rolling maul and their heavy pack pushed over for the first try of the day, with the conversion to follow.

Ilford were in the ascendancy but Stanford stood firm in defence keeping Ilford away from their line. After a long spell of good defensive work Stanford were again defending another rolling maul but were adjudged to have collapsed the play and so Ilford were awarded a penalty try and an easy conversion.

Stanford started to pick up the pace with most of the rugby inside the Ilford half but, as they built momentum, they were again penalised for pulling down an Ilford set play and Matt Rumble was shown a yellow card.

Down to 14 men Stanford upped their work rate but as they battled on a space opened up and Ilford ran in under the posts.

Stanford still had confidence that they could pull the game back and, with the defensive line really putting pressure on the Ilford attack, they forced a fumble pass which Kye Holloway bounced on and sprinted half the pitch outpacing three chasing Ilford players to dab down under the posts.

Calum Reid took no time with the conversion to add the extra points.

Stanford's pressure was building and, just before they were restored to 15 players, Ilford were reduced to 14 men for persistent infringements.

As the second half got under way and with Stanford on the attack Sam Dixon gave way for Dan May, the underdogs struck.

From an attacking lineout Stanford's Dominic McDonald took full advantage of Ilford's defensive confusion to weave his way through the heart of the Ilford forwards to run in a try.

With 25 minutes remaining Stanford brought on the fresh legs of Sonny Smith, Joe Grace and Lewis Cross.

Ilford's forward dominance was starting to tell and despite Stanford's sterling efforts to keep Ilford at bay they couldn't and conceded two quick tries.

The final whistle blew shortly afterwards with Stanford’s huge support cheering them off the pitch.