Stafford 1st XV welcomed Kidderminster Carolians to the County ground for the first league game of December. The home team still had an unsettled feel to it as injuries continued to take their toll and the visitors travelled with a very small squad of players.

Stafford started the game at a ferocious pace, but Kidderminster managed to snatch a flying ball to grab the first try of the game. The Stafford pack were in good form as they destroyed the visitors in early engagements and the resulting pressure lead to a penalty. Rich Martin stepped up to slot the ball between the posts and a second penalty saw Stafford sneak into the lead. Kidderminster got back into the game with a try to take back the lead. The half closed with a flying run by Chris Newell who was stopped just short of the line. Stafford went into half time trailing by 6 – 10 in a very tightly contested game.

The opening period of the second half saw Stafford exerting phenomenal pressure on an organised defence. The home side scrum continued to work well and although Kidderminster managed to repel several attacks they couldn’t stop the pack forcing their way across the line for Ross Norton to score a try, Rich Martin pushing through the conversion. Kidderminster responded with a period of attacking play to earn a penalty and even the scores. The visitors were temporarily reduced to 14 men courtesy of a yellow card and it then became a minor war of attrition as Stafford and Kidderminster contested every inch of the pitch. Stafford came out on top with some slick handling releasing a flying Dave Wareham to cross the line and retake the lead. A late Kidderminster try drew the scores level again to finish a very competitive afternoon of rugby.