STAFFORD SENIOR XV vs LICHFIELD 2ND XV. 2ND SEPTEMBER 2017. FRIENDLY MATCH.

Stafford welcomed Lichfield 2nd XV to the County Ground for the opening friendly of the new rugby season. The County Town team took to the field with a large group of players representing the senior teams to cycle through different tactics and try out different attacking combinations.
The first quarter of the game saw a largely dominant performance by the home side. A succession of penalties produced an early lead as Stafford closed the first 20-minute period leading 3 – 0 courtesy of a Louis Dewsbury penalty kick.

The second quarter saw Stafford making several changes as they gave the entire squad a run out. A more settled Lichfield XV started to find more success and made several penetrating attacks with only a great covering tackle by Dan Mills preventing the visitors from putting points on the board. Stafford went into half time holding onto a 3 – 0 lead, but looking solid in defence.

The third quarter saw more changes for the home side forced into a dogged defence as Stafford started to incur the wrath of the referee’s whistle. Lichfield couldn’t find a way through and a prowling Dan Mills intercepted a loose ball to run the length of the pitch for a home side try, Louis Dewsbury adding the conversion to extend the lead to 10-0.

The fourth quarter belonged to the visitors as their tenacious attack started to pay dividends. The referee’s whistle was in constant use as Stafford piled up the penalties and Lichfield took full advantage. Two tries and a penalty propelled the visitors into a lead which Stafford couldn’t quite close as the game dwindled to a close. The final score was 10 – 15 in an exhausting encounter for both teams.