STAFFORD 1ST XV vs UTTOXETER 1ST XV. 11TH NOVEMBER 2017. LEAGUE MATCH.

Stafford 41 – 0 Uttoxeter

Stafford welcomed Uttoxeter to the County Ground for the first ever 1st XV league encounter between the clubs. The visitors travelled looking for an upturn in their recent form having only taken a single win the league this season. Stafford were aiming to continue their winning streak the next target in their sights was a third-place league position.

The afternoon commenced with two minutes silence observed by all teams at the club providing a poignant start for the encounter. All of the early pressure came from an eager Stafford who crashed against an instantly defending Uttoxeter. The visitors fought hard but a scrum provided the platform for Oli Greatholder to smash open a gap, with a quick hands releasing Dean Fuggle to cross the line for the first try of the afternoon. Uttoxeter started to build some good phases of play, but a brutal Stafford response saw the ball in the hands of a flying Josh Arnold who scored in the corner, converted by Callum Jones. Uttoxeter could have put some points on board through a penalty but it wouldn’t find its way through the posts. Stafford went into half time leading by 12 – 0 but looking to convert the dominant possession into points in the second half.

The second half started with an early Stafford penalty which the home side kicked for the line out. An aggressive drive by the forwards lead to Angus Lennon grounding the ball for the first try of the half. The home side set piece continued to cause problems for the visitors, a driving Stafford maul was held up short but an ever-alert Angus Lennon grabbed the ball to dart over in the corner for his second of the afternoon. Uttoxeter were under constant pressure incurring penalty after penalty as the absorbed a relentless barrage. The visitors wouldn’t stop competing but couldn’t lay hands on an elusive Olly Greensill whose pace and stepping took him across the line for the next try, converted by Josh Arnold. The visitors’ afternoon continued to get worse when they were temporarily reduced to 14 courtesy of a yellow card. A quick tap penalty allowed Toran Spelman to rip through a tired defence the final pass finding Tom Williams who crossed the line for the next try. In the closing moments of the game Stafford continued to build momentum through some great phases of play. The final try of the afternoon came from captain Oli Greatholder who ran a great line to cross the line, converted by Callum Jones.