STAFFORD 1ST XV vs NEWPORT 2ND XV. 19TH AUGUST 2023. PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY.

Stafford started their warm up for the new season with a friendly game against Newport 2nd XV. Both sides fielded a sizeable squad as they took the opportunity to try different combinations and give the younger members of the team valuable game time. The game was played in twenty-minute quarters to allow the clubs to tinker with the line ups on the field of play.

A wicked breeze whipped itself up to accompany the opening parts of the match. The teams trundled around Blackberry Lane, testing out each other’s resolve. It was Stafford who started to find the initial success. A couple of errors from both sides saw some loose play before Stu Lewis secured the ball and went through some rooted defenders to take the opening try of the season. The County Town forwards continue to make a nuisance of themselves and a number of meaty hits lead to Newport losing players to unfortunate knocks. With the clubhouse in sight the home side charged for the line but were repelled on a couple of occasions. Despite some valiant defence the visitors couldn’t stop Tom Kirby from taking the second of the afternoon, converted by Will Turner. The teams moved to uncontested scrums, due to various injuries causing lack of cover in key positions. Staffords backs were prowling and looking to unleash some running rugby. A couple of sniping attacks caught Newport on the back foot but they scrambled to plug the gaps. Throwing the ball around the pitch, the visitors continued to be kept busy until a scything Jerry Qasenivalu run tore through any final resistance to stretch the lead. Newport then had their brightest spell of the game, getting two tries and a conversion to being the score to within five points at the end of the first period. Both teams took the opportunity to move players around for the second period. The sides played some consistent series of entertaining rugby but ultimately the period was a quieter affair with neither side able to add any further points to their overall tally.

The third period saw the teams changing ends and Stafford were propelled along by the noise of the clubhouse behind them. A break from Will Turner caused havoc amongst the opposition but he was hauled down short of the line. Keeping the momentum high a flying Will Hamplett was the next to shred the hard-working defence before Archie Bent took up the charge eating up the yards. However, it was left to Angus Lennon who was navigating towards the wing and with a burst of speed left the defenders standing before he was caught but managed to muscle across the line for a try, Will Turner adding the conversion. Stafford continued to dictate the game with slick hands between Jerry Qasenivalu and Sam Langley opening up the field in front of the stand. The forwards poured through the opening, ran over anything in front of them and Tom Kirby took the final yards for a try converted by Will Turner. Newport wouldn’t lie down and looked dangerous building some good phases from the possession that they had. The silky skills of Nathan Caucau undid all the visiting hard work when his footwork bamboozled the opposition and the ball flew along the line for Jack West to take his inaugural first team try. Newport opened the final period with an excellent try which the home side couldn’t stop rolling over the line. Stafford were still full of running though and with a ferocious set of forwards tearing open holes, Nathan Caucau carried hard for the next try. With both sides starting to tire the game became a very open affair. Stafford took their final score of the afternoon when Alfie O’Brien crossed for his first of the game, converted by Will Turner. It was left to Newport to have the last word, as the clock ticked down a final surge from the visitors crashed across for a try and the referees whistle signalled the end of a competitive encounter.

Next 1st XV Match; Stafford vs Leek 2nd XV, Saturday 26th August 2023, Home, KO 14.15.