Stafford 1st XV travelled to Veseyans for the first November game of the season. The team was looking to build on last week’s victory, but knew it would be a tough test as newly promoted Veseyans were starting to run into form.

The sounds of the whistle, opening the game, had hardly died away, when Veseyans opened the afternoons scoring with a penalty. Stafford struck back almost immediately through the boot of Rich Martin and with five minutes gone it promised to be a fast paced game. Veseyans snatched the lead back through a try, but they couldn’t find the conversion. Stafford continued to battle but as Dan Smith limped off, the team were forced into positional changes and the list of 1st XV injuries continued to grow. Taking on the mantle of captain Scott Raines lead from the front, charging down a loose kick, snatching the tumbling ball and crashing across the line for a try, Rich Martin slotting the conversion. Stafford momentum continued to build and Veseyans were struggling to cope with a persistent swarming attack. A bright period of attacking rugby from the visitors split the opposition wide open for Tom Amplett to find his way across the line for the second try of the afternoon, Rich Martin taking the conversion. Veseyans couldn’t settle as Stafford continued to disrupt all areas of their game, stealing any available ball and dominating the play. Charlie Venables used the momentum to show his class as a penetrating run took him through and around four or five players to take the third try of the afternoon. Veseyans closed the half with a try, against the run of play, to draw the scores closer back together. Stafford went into half time leading 13 – 22, but looking comfortably in charge of the game.

Veseyans started the second half with a renewed determination and an early try pulled them within touching distance of the lead. Rich Martin added to the visitors lead with a spiralling penalty to stretch the target for the home side. Veseyans started to find some success with the pick & drive through their solid forwards and earned a try for their efforts, the continued lack of conversions keeping Stafford in a narrow lead. Staffords season continued in typical fashion as Matt Walklate came off the pitch with an injury and the team had to shuffle positions to fill the gaps. Veseyans took full advantage and the forwards drove over the line to grab a narrow lead with ten minutes to play. Stafford threw everything at the opposition and played the majority of the final part of the game in the Veseyans half. Despite all of the passion, commitment and sheer tenacity they couldn’t find their way across the line as the full time whistle blew.