STAFFORD 1st XV vs SHREWSBURY 1st XV. 30th JANUARY 2016.

Stafford 22 – 16 Shrewsbury

Stafford welcomed Shrewsbury to the county ground for the third fixture of 2016. Both teams held a fifty per cent record in 2016, with one win and one loss. A swirling gusting wind provided the backdrop for what promised to be a close afternoon of rugby.

Stafford opened the game very strongly with ferocious play battering the opposition deep into their own half as the travelling Shropshire team were forced to dig in and withstand the assault. The home side dominated the play but couldn’t find the final move to penetrate the determined defence. Shrewsbury leapt on any opportunity and loose balls launched counter attacks deep into the home side half. The game descended into stalemate as neither side could produce the final move with Stafford looking the more dangerous but Shrewsbury forcing every opportunity. The half looked to be heading into a no score draw when Stafford dug deep for one more attack. A well taken lineout put the defence under pressure, subsequent slick passing ripped open the valiant Shropshire team and Quade Boal crossed the line for the first try of the afternoon, Rich Martin adding the conversion. Stafford went into half time leading 7 – 0, but having played the majority of the attacking rugby.

The second half started with both side throwing themselves back into the fray to resume the testing encounter. The Stafford scrum started to create a solid platform for the back line to mount sniping attacks. Stafford continued to work hard and players peeling from the back of the scrum punched holes in the Shrewsbury defence, releasing Matty Walklate for the second try of the afternoon. The tenacious Shropshire side continued to scrap and go their first points on the board through a penalty. Staffords third try of the afternoon came courtesy of Tom Windibank as he smashed his way through the solid Shrewsbury defence, Rich Martin adding a swirling conversion. Shrewsbury started to play their best rugby of the game and two tries drew the points back together, making the final five minutes uncertain for both teams. A Rich Martin penalty put the further points on the board for the home side but the final score in the game saw a Shrewsbury penalty grab the loosing bonus point for the fighting Shropshire XV.