OLD SALTLEIANS 1st XV vs STAFFORD 1st XV. 26th September 2015.

Old Saltleians 26 – 18 Stafford

Stafford travelled to Watton Lane for the third league game of the season. Points from this fixture were very sparse over previous seasons and the travelling team knew it was going to be an afternoon of hard rugby.

Stafford came crashing into the game from the referees opening whistle early pressure forcing a succession of penalties, the final penalty of the flurry proved to be in range of the boot of Matt Walklate as he opened the afternoons scoring. The visitors continued to find success and the dominance of their forwards was evident as they scrummaged the home side of the ball to steal possession. Old Salts started to respond and an ensuing penalty tied the scores. Stafford continued to play some good rugby and a bullish scrum created solid platform for the ball to move down the line, with a flying Will Hamplett the recipient for the first try of the afternoon. A couple of small mistakes were pounced on by an ever aware Old Salts XV and within the space of a ten minute period Stafford found themselves on the wrong end of a penalty and two tries. Stafford went into half time trailing 18 – 8, but having had the better of the possession in the half.

With the half time team talk ringing in their ears, the Stafford XV knew that they had to halt the minor errors which were being exploited by a prowling home side. The opening play of the second half saw another minor mistake by the visitors and the home side raced down the line for a further try to build a decent lead. Old Salts were then reduced to fourteen courtesy of a yellow card for alleged high tackling. Stafford started to ramp the pressure up and a slick move from a quick penalty released Stu Lewis for the visitors’ second try of the afternoon. Old Salts woes continued to grow as a second yellow card for high tackling reduced them to thirteen. Stafford continued to batter a tenacious defence, but the home side couldn’t keep out Phil Brown following a succession of bruising moves and Stafford had drawn the scores to within the loosing bonus point. With the scores closing, the Stafford XV lifted their game again to drive for the win. Time was against a brave second half performance and a late Old Salts penalty cruelly snatched away any points on offer.