STAFFORD 1ST XV vs WILLENHALL 1ST XV. 28TH OCTOBER 2017. STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY INTERMEDIATE CUP QUARTER FINAL.

Stafford 45 – 12 Willenhall

Stafford welcomed Willenhall to the County Ground for the remaining quarter final fixture in the Staffordshire County Intermediate Cup. The County Town team were led onto the pitch by captain, Callum Jones, spear heading a youthful squad which bore testament to the hard-working Colts system flourishing in the club.

Willenhall started strongly an early flurry of penalties putting the experienced visitors onto the front foot. The Stafford defence proved equal to the assault and a dominant line out intercepted several throws to relieve the pressure. The home side started to work their way into the game and the visitors were forced to switch into defence. A Stafford line out set the platform for a catch & drive by the forwards, quick hands releasing the backs for Will Turner to crash through the opposition for the first try of the afternoon, converted by Callum Jones. The restart had hardly landed before the Stafford backs were on the charge again, scything running cutting through Willenhall as Ollie Leigh went past the defence, a final pass releasing a flying Angus Hamplett for the second try of the game, converted by Callum Jones. Next it was the forwards turn, Callum Hoy enjoying his return to first team rugby as he ripped the ball and sprinted almost the entire length of the pitch for one of the tries of the half, converted by Josh Arnold. Willenhall responded through their heavy forwards who smashed through for an unconverted try. Stafford wouldn’t let the opposition settle with a crashing run from Will Turner forcing big holes in the defence, quick hands pushing the ball to Angus Hamplett for his second of the afternoon. Willenhall finished the half with a vicious assault, but couldn’t find their way past a tenacious defence. Stafford went into half time with a commanding 26 – 5 lead and very much in control of the game.

The opening forays of the second half saw both teams trying to ramp up the pressure, but it was the visitors who suffered through a yellow card which temporarily reduced them to fourteen on the pitch. A fantastic run by Sam Harbage left the defence standing with only the last man preventing another home side score. A fourteen-man Willenhall defended valiantly but couldn’t stop Ollie Greensill from crossing the line for his first team debut try. The Willenhall response was ferocious as they fought their way up the pitch and an intercepted ball saw the visitors poach their second try of the game. The momentum then switched back to the home side as they ran the ball from all corners of the pitch. Displaying his full array of skills, a pin point kick from Neil Green set up the line out which released Ollie Leigh to batter his way through defending hands for the next try, converted by Josh Arnold. In the final score of the game Ollie Greensill found space to showcase sublime stepping and speed to leave everyone standing for his second try of the afternoon, converted by Josh Arnold. As the final whistle went both teams looked exhausted in what had been an excellent afternoon of rugby.