HARBORNE 1ST XV vs STAFFORD 1ST XV. 13TH JANUARY 2024. LEAGUE.

Stafford travelled to Birmingham for their first away game of 2024 against Harborne. The County Town team last visited Westhill Playing Fields in January 2018 when they managed to snatch a narrow 10-17 victory. In their current promotion season the hosts were finding life difficult with a run of no wins and twelve losses. Stafford were looking to build on their previous weeks win and clamber their way back up the league. Still fielding a mixture of youth and experience the travelling team included Charlie Kirby making his 1st XV debut, whilst his injured brother watched from the sidelines. Westhill Playing Fields is a home team ground and the game was never going to be straightforward with two teams fighting hard for any points available.

With the ground looking slightly heavy both sides had to adapt their tactics to gain any momentum. Propelled on by a strong scrum, it was Harborne that struck first with a well worked try to take the initial points. Stafford were finding it difficult to keep some consistency in their play, but when they did the rugby ripped through their opposite numbers. In the face of some good attacking moments from the visitors Harborne were producing a smothering defensive display which was effective in snuffing out most of the offensive energy on the pitch. However, despite the hard work the home side couldn’t keep pace with a Stafford XV in full flow. Some dogged forwards work carried the ball deep into opposition territory, initially fuelled by the tireless legs of Gregor Lennon and Dave Austen causing havoc up the centre of the pitch. With the platform set a few more phases saw the ball ripple through silky hands and it was left to a brutal finish by Chris Lindsey for the equalising try. A subsequent penalty was slotted through the posts by the boot of captain Alex Rock to take a slender lead. The teams continued to trade plays for the final ten minutes of the period, but neither found room to grasp any further advantage. Stafford went into half time leading 5 – 8 against a fighting Harborne display which remained continually threatening.

Both teams had very audible half time talks and came into the second half full of intent. There were some heavy clashes between the industrious forwards but it was Harborne who seized the early advantage with a try retaking a narrow lead. Stafford were starting to find some success with their scrum and gained good field position by tortuous carries through a harrying opposition. Starting to ramp up the energy, some zealous jackalling by Jerry Qasenivalu retook a lost ball to turn over possession. With the ball back in visiting ownership, Stafford demonstrated how devastating their running play could be, shredding through the defence and Will Turner crossing for the try, converted by Alex Rock. With around fifteen minutes left on the clock a Harborne penalty bought the game to within two points, but minor errors were starting to creep into the game. With the Stafford line in sight an attacking line out was butchered, presenting the swarming visitors with the ball which was then carried to other end of the field. Harborne scrambled into defending on their own line and propelled back a couple of meaty attacks. Although courageous it wasn’t enough to stop Dan Watts crashing over for Staffords third try, converted by Alex Rock. With less than 5 minutes left in the encounter the visiting coaches were bellowing for a fourth score to secure maximum points. Harborne were showing signs of having been in tiring match but still fought fiercely for every inch of ground. The clock ticked into the final minute when a clumsy tackle from Harborne saw a yellow card produced and the defending numbers reduced to fourteen on the pitch. Sitting under the posts the now dominant Stafford scrum started to march forward, but good marshalling by Archie Bent released the ball to the back line. Harborne ran out of numbers as the dancing feet of Will Turner took the try bonus point, converted by Alex Rock to end the match.

Next 1st XV Match: Saturday 27th January, Home vs Kidderminster.