STAFFORD 1ST XV vs KIDDERMINSTER CAROLIANS 1ST XV. 27TH JANUARY 2024. LEAGUE.

Stafford hosted the final game of January 2024 welcoming a travelling Kidderminster Carolians to the County Ground. The visitors were having a comfortable season with seven wins out of fourteen securing a solid mid table position. Coming off the back of two wins, Stafford were looking to continue their form, avenging the 33 – 5 loss which they had endured in the reciprocal tie earlier in the season. With the game preceded by the vice presidents’ lunch and the noise of the Marvel mixed ability team coming from pitch one there was a real buzz creeping around the club.

Kidderminster came into the game with all guns blazing, two tries in the first ten minutes should have sowed the seeds of doubt in the home side. But Stafford are starting to find a new energy and with all players talking and directing each other the County Town team worked their way back into the encounter. Poaching the ball from a scrum Alex Rock released a swarming Stafford who washed over the scrambling defence. Kidderminster tried to hold back the surging tide but a brutal charge from Alfie O’Brien swept all opposition out of the way for a try, converted by Alex Rock. The visitors were desperately trying to stem the momentum swing but the hosts were threatening from all parts of the field. A pinpoint kick from the boot of James Milan ate up the territory and with the try line in sight the forwards were free to ply their trade. Kidderminster met fire with fire and the sound of meaty hits echoed around the ground. But Stafford stretched and probed before Dan Watts crashed across for a try, to tie the score. With their tails up, the Blackberry Lane XV produced some entertaining rugby which kept the visitors under the cosh. Securing the ball, Colton Mclaughlin tore away from his defenders and a final pass released Jerry Qasenivalu for a try to take the lead, converted by Alex Rock. A hard-working Kidderminster responded with a try of their own to close out the period. Stafford went into half time drawing 19 – 19 in a tight game of excellent rugby.

The second half started very evenly as both teams tussled for possession around the half way mark. A yellow card temporarily reduced the Stafford numbers on the pitch but couldn’t douse the enthusiasm. The home side launched attacks from several different positions and Kidderminster were propelled back into a scrambling defence. The visitors shook themselves back into shape but were unable to respond quickly enough to prevent a flying Jerry Qasenivalu from taking his second for the try bonus point, converted by Alex Rock. An ever-dangerous Kidderminster pounced on a subsequent loose ball and took their own try bonus point to bring the scores back together. With a full XV back on the pitch Stafford continued to control the momentum before a second yellow card again reduced the numbers on the pitch. Undeterred the remaining players appeared to work twice as hard with some tiring rugby. Fancy footwork from Gregor Lennon ripped the field wide open and the second row sprinted three quarters of the pitch before being bought crashing to the ground. A pursuing Dan Watts picked up the ball and smashed across for a try. A third yellow reduced the County Town team to thirteen for a few minutes before the referee restored the fighting home side to fourteen. Kidderminster took full advantage of the card chaos to zero in on a sparsely defended try line. The visiting XV celebrated when they crossed the white wash but the linesman’s flag denied them the score. A leaping Dave Austen stole the line out and Stafford turned deep defence into a scything attack. Flowing rugby drove the ball up the pitch before Alosio Yamoyamo put on the afterburners to race away for a try, adding to the Stafford haul. With less than five minutes on the clock, Kidderminster struck back with their final try of the afternoon to make it a five-point game. With a few minutes left the home side eventually managed to get a full complement back on the field. Steering the game toward the club house, several punishing attacks came close but were held out. Will Turner harassed the ball across the but a Kidderminster hand denied the try. Stafford got their reward through a very kickable penalty. Up stepped the trusty boot of captain Alex Rock to propel the ball between the uprights and close off an exciting afternoon of rugby.

Next 1st XV Match: Saturday 3rd February, Away vs Telford Hornets.