STAFFORD 1ST XV vs TRENTHAM 1ST XV. 17TH FEBRUARY 2018. LEAGUE MATCH.

Stafford 60 – 13 Trentham

Stafford welcomed Trentham to the County Ground for the return fixture of the season. The visitors travelled very lightly and their starting line-up was visibly short of numbers starting on the pitch and supporting in the technical area. With the two sides at opposite ends of the table, the County Town team were searching for maximum points to continue their drive towards second place in the league.

Stafford started the game at a high tempo, the visitors organised an immediate defence but their lack of numbers caused early problems. The home side stretched Trentham across the pitch and a charging Callum Hoy smashed his way through for the first try of the afternoon. Stafford were playing attritional rugby to create large gaps and an elusive Stelian-Christian Ureche took full advantage to stretch the lead with two further tries in a five-minute period. The heart of Trentham shone through as they fought their way back into the encounter earning their reward through two penalties which put points on the board for the visitors. Stafford started to dominate the set piece and two stolen line outs disrupted the Trentham momentum. A swarming Stafford attack overwhelmed the remaining defence for Olly Greensill to take the next try to secure the bonus point, converted by Stelian-Christian Ureche. Trentham couldn’t settle and a stalking Louis Dewsbury intercepted a loose pass to tear down the pitch for the final try of the half, converted by Stelian-Christian Ureche. The momentum of the game swung dramatically when Stafford were temporarily reduced to thirteen after subsequent yellow cards. With numbers on their side for the first time in the match, Trentham tried to make the extra man count but they met a tenacious defence who were equal to everything thrown at it. Stafford went into half time leading 29 – 6 and controlling a substantial lead.

Stafford resumed the game with a fast attack making up for their missing players. An Angus Lennon run showcased his rugby skills as the prop muscled and stepped his way through the opposition to take Stafford close to another score. A tiring Trentham were fighting hard to cope with a thirteen-man Stafford and when the home side were restored to fourteen the defence was desperate. The speed of the attack stretched the visitors across the pitch and a final pass to Oscar Saunders added the next try, converted by Stelian-Christian Ureche. With Stafford back up to a full fifteen the home side were fully back in control dictating the game. First team debutante Ben Chatfield created the next try with a penetrating run to offload to Dean Fuggle who crossed the line, converted by Stelian-Christian Ureche. The team attacked from all areas of the field, Dan Smith and Olly Leigh combining to sprint through an exhausted defence, but were halted within fingertips of the line. Ben Chatfield continued to relish his first team start, the prop demonstrating his pace to score a try on his inaugural appearance, converted by Stelian-Christian Ureche. Dean Fuggle was the next to score with his second try of the afternoon, with Ben Chatfield taking his second after sprinting down the wing. With the clock exhausted a proud Trentham continued to battle and got their reward through a try to close the game.