Stafford Colts v Newport Colts - 24.8.2023

Stafford came down to earth with a bump as a strong Newport side edged a nervy end-to-end encounter.
Buoyed by their weekend win, the home team went close in the opening minutes with Aidan Barker and Ellis Millard combining - only to be stopped close to the line.
But they didn't have to wait long to put points on the board when a tap penalty was worked out to the wing where Ed Matthews squeezed in from the tightest of angles. Henry Ralphs’ difficult kick from the touchline just falling short of the posts.
The visitors hit back with a line out falling to their number 20 who ran through the Stafford defence for a try under the posts - and an easy conversion followed.
Unfortunately, the first half was curtailed early, after what looked to be a nasty leg injury to an opponent requiring lengthy treatment, and Stafford went in 7-5 behind.
The match gave Stafford the chance to rotate their squad of 40+ players as they head into the opening league games next month. And the picks of the bunch on the night were Will Smith and Edward Austin in the forwards and backs Jack Raine and Aidan Barker.
Newport increased the lead shortly after the break with another try scything through the home defence - and a straightforward conversion put daylight between the teams.
That lead narrowed only three minutes later when Callum Stanley was fed a penalty and the unstoppable prop forced his way over the line dragging three defenders with him. Seb Conaghan added the easy two points.
The home forwards piled on pressure in their opponents 22 and it eventually paid off with a series of penalties. The final infringement was in front of the posts and Conaghan took the simple penalty to put his side 15-14 up.
That was a short-lived lead. Newport’s backs collecting a kick just inside their own half and powered to the line to move them 19-15 ahead.
This galvanised the home side and another period of sustained pressure followed - aided by their opponents going down to 14 men. But Stafford could not convert that possession into points and the visitors were let off the hook when fly-half Conaghan kicked the ball dead from a penalty. It was one of several missed opportunities by the team - the best being at the end of a well worked move when a pass fell agonisingly behind Marley Thomas with the try line at his mercy.
It mattered not. In the final moments of the match Newport, now back to a full complement of players, again ran through the middle for another try in the dying seconds.

Coaches Comments:
This was only our second game so far, we had quite a few players just returning from their holidays and having their first run out so far, that showed in our lack of offensive structure. Despite that our defensive line was more aggressive and better organised than on Sunday against Bromsgrove. We can regret the last two tries and maybe the final score flatters a little Newport on the night but nonetheless we are happy with the overall attitude.
So far, the group bonds well and everyone is eager to learn and develop. The next 2 weeks will be devoted to working on our shape in attack and defence.
Next weekend we have 2 fixtures and we are looking at taking 2 different squads to both games to start preparing our League campaign that begins in a fortnight. Have a great bank holiday weekend all.