STAFFORD 1ST XV vs MOSELEY OAK 1ST XV. 12TH JANUARY 2020. LEAGUE MATCH.

Stafford welcomed Moseley Oak for their inaugural visit to Coopers Park. The south Birmingham team have been finding life complicated following their return to Midlands 2 West (North). However, they travelled to the county town as one of the only teams to hold a win over Stafford in the first half of the season. Grey skies and a turbulent wind greeted both sides as they entered a murky pitch.

Assisted by a swirling wind, immediate Stafford pressure saw the visitors conceding a simple penalty which Louis Dewsbury slotted between the posts for an early lead. Moseley responded with attacking rugby which kept Stafford pinned deep within their own half for long periods. The home side managed to break out a couple of times but the visitors kept manoeuvring the play back towards the club house. Eventually some exhausting defence managed to retain the elusive ball and the play drifted back towards the centre of the park. Neither side could gain any significant advantage until a snarling Carl Williams smashed aside a couple of defenders and undertook a sizeable sprint to take the first try of the afternoon, converted by Louis Dewsbury. Minor mistakes on both sides developed into a minorly disjointed game which stuttered its way towards the half way mark. Moseley nearly had the last word when they seized upon a loose ball to tear off down the field for an almost certain try. Nick Oxley had other ideas setting off in pursuit and a punishing tackle buried the attack just short of the line. Stafford went into half time with a nervous 10 – 0 lead, but having to contend with the gusting wind for the remainder of the match.

A yellow card temporarily reduced Stafford to fourteen on the pitch at the beginning of the second half. The Moseley XV eventually took full advantage but were made to work tiringly hard for an eventual try, putting points on the board for the visitors. With a full compliment back on the pitch the Stafford engine spluttered back into life. Carl Williams carried some hard yards to open up the opposition before a flowing Stafford attack tore through the defence and Christian Stelian crossed for a try, converted by Louis Dewsbury. The home side were starting to find space and Moseley had to work hard to contain a resurgent attack. Stafford worked relentlessly to grind out territory and the retreating visitors had to set up a final defence on their own line. A couple of probing attacks were repelled before Carl Williams erupted from the pack to claim his second try of the afternoon, converted by Louis Dewsbury. The afternoon continued to deteriorate for the visitors as the restart was carried back up the pitch to resume a merciless assault. The referees whistle was in constant use as Stafford were awarded penalty after penalty. The defence creaked on a couple of occasions but passing rugby overstretched Moseley enough for a prowling Rich Martin to slither his way around the opposition for the bonus point try. The last period became a test of endurance for Moseley as Stafford went looking for a fifth try. An overthrown lineout provided the opportunity when Sam Chatfield secured the ball and the prop sprinted around the Moseley backs tearing across half of the pitch for the final try of the afternoon. A late Moseley rally should have earned the visitors some consolation points but the Stafford defence had closed up shop for the afternoon and the line remained impenetrable.