STAFFORD 1ST XV vs BURNTWOOD 1ST XV. 2ND MARCH 2024. LEAGUE.

Stafford had an unexpected game at the County Ground when waterlogged pitches at The Sportsway created a last-minute change of venue. A now travelling Burntwood were having a decent season with nine wins and nine losses leaving the team just outside the top four in the league. In contrast Stafford were hovering around the bottom four, but recent results helping to bolster the league position. The reciprocal match earlier in the season had seen Burntwood running out with an emphatic 46-point win.

The wet weather was holding off at the beginning of the game, but handling was still a slippery issue due to the remnants of the morning’s downpour. Burntwood took full advantage of the early play bursting through some delicate tackling for the opening try of the afternoon. The Blackberry Lane XV worked hard to find some sort of shape, but couldn’t prevent the visiting hosts from crossing the line twice more in an unproductive period. With a quarter of an hour spent off the clock, Burntwood had established a comfortable lead. Heads could have dropped, but the home side were audibly talking to each other and adjusting their positions on the pitch. The visiting XV started to dig in for a defensive shift as a resurgent Stafford strung some testing phases of possession together. The game became slightly chaotic as the travelling defence were rooted deep in their own half trying to contain everything being thrown at it. Following several minor infringements, Stafford eventually got their reward through an Alex Rock penalty to put points on the board for the County Town team. Feeding off some good disruptive play, Stafford started to create some space which the opposition were struggling to keep under control. Throwing the ball all over the park, the home side eventually tore great holes in the cover and James Milan flew down the wing for a try, converted by Alex Rock. Stafford went into half time trailing 8 -19, but looking strong when they consistently went through the phases.

The threatening rain came sweeping in to cover the field for the second half. Burntwood opened the scoring with their bonus point try as they again swept through some uncertain tackles. Stafford didn’t allow the opposition to catch a breath and some fantastic play carried the ball towards the club house end. A charge by Gregor Lennon battered open a gap and Angus Hamplett shot through for a try converted by Alex Rock. Burntwood struck back with a try of their own in what was becoming an end-to-end encounter. In a frantic response, visiting bodies were left strewn across the pitch as Dan Watts broke away just being hauled down short of the posts. Stafford weren’t to be denied and a few exploratory forays ended with Gregor Lennon crashing across for a try, converted by Alex Rock. As everyone caught a breath it was suddenly an eleven-point gap and the momentum dangled for anyone to grasp. A yellow card apiece temporarily reduced numbers to fourteen for both teams. When the dust had settled it was Burntwood surging towards the Stafford line looking to inflict maximum damage. Eventually the travelling XV managed to get across the heavily defended line, but after a close inspection the referee signalled held up. With the immediate threat dealt with, some strong running play caused havoc within the Burntwood ranks. The visitors couldn’t keep up with a flying Stafford response which saw 1st XV debutant Oliver Croft tearing away to take the bonus point try, converted by Alex Rock and hauling the points difference to only four. With both teams back up to a full complement it was Burntwood who struck next with another try to prise the scores back apart. Some competitive Stafford defence incurred the referee’s displeasure, with a second yellow reducing the County Town ranks to fourteen for the remainder of the afternoon. With the wight of numbers on their side, the visitors finished the game with a final try to add to their productive haul for the afternoon.

Next 1st XV Match: Saturday 16th March 2024, Home vs Longton.