Stafford travelled over the border into neighbouring Shropshire for the first away league game of 2017. They were welcomed by a fighting Shrewsbury sitting bottom of the league, but battling to lift themselves out of the relegation zone.

Stafford started brightly and with Rich Martin marshalling the team they tried to break down the opposition defence through some running rugby. The county town visitors were finding less success against a very strong Shrewsbury scrum, which gained the upper hand in the early skirmishes. A Stafford penalty followed by some Salopian pressure saw Shrewsbury scoring the first try of the afternoon. Stafford responded with a series of attacks which gave Louis Dewsbury the space to put points on the board through a drop goal. With momentum on their side the visitors started to pile on the pressure, a strong run from Olly Leigh earning a scrum which secured the ball to release Rich Martin who forced his way across the line for a try & the lead, converted by Louis Dewsbury. A penalty late in the half saw Shrewsbury taking three more points and narrowing the lead. Stafford went into half time leading 8 – 10 in a close encounter. The second half saw a strong display by Shrewsbury to score 20 more points and earn them their 2nd well deserved win of the season.