Stafford welcomed the Royal Signals to the county ground in their final warm up game before the start of the new league season next week. The Signals bought a large squad of players, presenting a tough challenge for the improving home side.

The Signals opened the game strongly, a brutal charge by their pack driving through the home side defence to grab the first try of the game. Stafford settled and a consistent period of rugby saw them earning a penalty, Sam Bedworth slotting the ball between the posts to put points on the board for the hosts. Both sides continued to play some entertaining rugby but it was Stafford who struck next, an excellent move releasing a flying Matthew Chalmers to cross the line and grab the lead for the county town team. The Signals response was typically bullish and a series of running plays produced a converted try to wrestle back the lead. Stafford went into half time trailing by 8 – 12, but putting in a good performance against a testing opposition.

Stafford came flying into the second half and their hard work was rewarded through a Sam Bedworth penalty to cut the deficit to a single point. The Signals had made several changes during the break and as they settled into the game the running rugby proved too testing for a tiring home side. A series of attacks produced four converted tries to close the game down and seal the victory. Stafford wouldn’t lie down and continued to compete until the final whistle.

An excellent afternoon of rugby which saw an improving Stafford XV battle hard against a relentless opposition. They can hold their heads high for the spirit which they showed throughout the game.