Stafford 1st XV travelled to Tamworth for the return league game of the season with both teams desperate for a good performance and the points which were on offer. The game promised to be a tough challenge and the muddy conditions provided a difficult playing surface.

The Tamworth pack sought to exert their dominance from the opening kick and two tries in the first fifteen minutes may have been enough to sap the confidence from the visitors. However Stafford pumped up the tempo sniping at the home side, a snarling Scott Raines run ripping open a hole for a flying Dave Freeman to run through and the visitors had their first try on the board. Tamworth tried to strike back but Mitch Averis used all of his speed to run the ball back up the pitch, turning defence into attack and quick hands stretched the opposition as the ball flew across the pitch, Stuart Lewis the final recipient barging his way over the line for the try, Rich Martin took the conversion and Stafford were level. The home side responded by rumbling down the pitch and Stafford were forced into a defensive line deep in their own 22. Just when the home side looked likely to score, the hunting hands of Johnny Carr snatched the ball out of the air and his pumping legs ate up the full length of the pitch for Staffords third try of the afternoon, Rich Martin grabbing the conversion. A late Tamworth penalty drew the scores back together. Stafford went into half time with a hard fought 15 – 19 lead, but having dominated when the tempo was high.

The Tamworth pack took control at the beginning of the second half when a push over try was quickly converted to snatch back a see saw lead. The two teams settled into a period of muddy exchanges where neither side could assert any sustained control. It was Captain Rich Martin who broke the deadlock as the snake returned slithering its way through the defence for the fourth try of the afternoon and the try bonus point, the conversion adding to the total. Tamworth continued to fight hard but Carl Williams was battling harder, hurling sustained assaults eventually creating the space for Dave Freeman to take his second try of the afternoon. A late surge by Tamworth saw them camped on the Stafford line, but the visitors kept them out until the referees whistle signalled the end of an exhausting afternoon.