STAFFORD 1ST XV vs OLD SALTLEIANS 1ST XV. 16TH DECEMBER 2023. LEAGUE.

In the last game before the Christmas break, Stafford were at home to a travelling Old Saltleians. The visitors were having a strong season with eleven wins & just the one loss, only second in the league by a single try bonus point. Stafford were still searching for some continuity, but the team were started to develop as they continued to evolve together.

Old Saltleians pressed the button from the opening whistle and carved their way through Stafford for an immediate try. Stafford responded with some fantastic attacking rugby which pinned the visitors onto their own try line. The County Town team were vocal in their encouragement and launched waves of attacks against a seemingly impenetrable defence. Despite the momentum Stafford just couldn’t find the final pass and a ten-minute period crashing against the opposition came to a cruel halt. Old Saltleians intercepted a pass and the poachers tore off down the pitch for their second try of the match. The visitors started to play some punishing running rugby which demanded a resolute defence from the hosts. Old Saltleians demonstrated their class for their third try as the running lines caused chaos across the pitch. Stafford were having their moments and playing periods of good rugby which, the Water Orton XV were having to work hard to contain. The game swung between the teams as they stood toe to toe. One of the moments of the match was Tom Kirby chasing down two visiting players and with incredibly long arms tackling them both to the ground at the same time to prevent a try. Stafford closed the period with a long-range penalty attempt which didn’t quite have the legs to put points on the board. Stafford went into half time trailing by 0-19 against a very composed Old Saltleians performance.

Stafford came barrelling back into the match and the visitors were immediately on the back foot. Old Saltleians tried to cover the gaps but a relentless period of play eventually saw Jerry Qasenivalu crossing the line for a Stafford try, converted by Alex Rock. A yellow card reduced the travelling team to a temporary fourteen on the field following some clumsy play. However, Old Saltleians continued to pounce on any opportunity and a loose ball provided their bonus point try. Stafford were working hard for each other and were continually organising each other across the field of play. The Blackberry Lane XV settled into a period of attritional rugby which smashed the opposition back up the pitch. The travellers defended strongly but couldn’t prevent Henry Perks from twisting across the line for his debut 1st XV try. Old Saltleians finished the encounter with a final try which closed off an entertaining afternoon of rugby.

Next 1st XV Match: Saturday 6th January, Home vs Spartans (Midlands).