BARTON UNDER NEEDWOOD 1ST XV vs STAFFORD 1ST XV. 25TH NOVEMBER 2017. LEAGUE MATCH.

Barton under Needwood 3 – 94 Stafford

Stafford travelled across the County for the last league match of November. The hosts, Barton, were battling to kick start a difficult season with only a single win but a couple of bonus points showing their scoring potential. Wintry rain had left a slippery playing condition for both teams.

An early scrum allowed Stu Lewis to crash through a settling defence and a supporting Tom Williams slid under the posts for the opening try of the afternoon, the second soon following from Oscar Saunders, both converted by Callum Jones. Facing a team with a dominant set piece and playing some fast rugby, it was a punishing first period for the hosts, but they dug deep, and some bright periods of play earned them a penalty for their first points of the game. Dean Fuggle started to cause chaos amongst the defence and the hosts couldn’t stop the sniping nine from taking the next try. Stretching his kicking legs, Callum Jones was next to score crossing the line with a bloody nose for the try bonus point, Josh Arnold bouncing the kick off the crossbar for the conversion. An unfortunate clash saw Olly Greensill being helped off the pitch, but it would prove to be no respite for the hosts as a returning Tom Windibank took the field. Rhys Williams closed the half by stepping his way past several defenders for the try, converted by Josh Arnold. Stafford went into half time comfortably in control 3 – 33, but having to keep ever alert against a determined Barton XV.

The first few minutes of the second half saw Stafford under a period of pressure with Barton rumbling towards their line through a series of phases. The visitors halted the attack by ripping the ball and strong running legs reversed the field position. A subsequent scrum was taken against the head by Stafford and Barton missed the elusive Dean Fuggle who took his second of the game, converted by Callum Jones. Showing his pace to the back line, prop Angus Lennon ran in the next try from the halfway line, stepping past or running over defenders on the way, Callum Jones adding the conversion. Not to be outdone second row Callum Hoy proceeded to run in the next try from halfway on the opposite wing, the running line marginally less subtle as any defenders were battered out of the way. A visibly tired Barton continued to struggle in defence with first Oscar Saunders taking his second of the match followed by Tom Windibank taking his initial try, converted by Josh Arnold and Callum Jones respectively. The flood gates then opened with Tom Williams the next to score his second, Dean Fuggle took his third, Tom Windibank his second, finally Callum Hoy his second, variously converted by Callum Jones or Josh Arnold.