Stafford Colts v Lichfield Colts - 21.01.24

The Colts ran out of steam as they lost out to Lichfield on their return to league action after a lengthy lay off.

You’d have to go back as far as November for Stafford’s last league match - an impressive victory at Luctonians.
But that eight-week gap did not look to have dampened their spirits as the impressive Dylan Shrehorn carved a hole through the visitors’ defence to open the scoring around five minutes in. The full back converted his own try.
And with less than 15 minutes on the clock the home side extended their lead. Sebastian Conaghan broke away and, when he was collared, played a pass out of the back of his hand to Charlie Kirby. The forward’s strong run, one of several he made throughout the game, was pulled up close to the line but Olly Croft was on hand to go over in the corner.
Unfortunately Lichfield hit back when a poor pass from fly-half Conaghan was knocked on and from the resulting scrum the away team scored in the corner.
Stafford were dealt a blow when winger Aidan Barker had to be replaced. Barker had already looked a threat and had put in some powerful tackles before a hamstring tweak forced him off.
The windy conditions were causing issues and Stafford lost a series of line outs when in good positions. But not long before the break Jack Raine increased their lead. Sam Edwards quick penalty was shipped out through the hands to Henry Perks to run at the back line - with the ball coming into the hands of his partner in the centres to run in. Shrehorn’s conversion struck the post.
In the dying seconds the home side mounted a tremendous rearguard action to repel phase after phase of Lichfield attack - with Conaghan the unlikely try saver as he forced his opponent in to touch with the line begging, in the last move of the half.
It was no more than Stafford deserved as their forwards had took the game to Lichfield with some strong carries from Kirby, captain DJ Clements, Matt Turner, Ethan Hollins, Joben Corcoran and Kayden Robinson - with Will Smith having one of his best games around the rucks. It was especially pleasing as they were using a fairly new front row of hooker Liam Quindos, Smith and Turner, who was returning after a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.
In fact it would not have been a surprise if Stafford had added to their try tally as the backs were playing the ball beautifully out wide and came very close on a number of occasions.
The Colts made some positional changes at the break with the dangerous Shrehorn moving to number 9, Olly Croft going to full back, and scrum half Edward’s in at flanker.
But the first half promise was quickly extinguished when the home side lost the ball and gave away a penalty. The Lichfield line out was on the mark, and from a well worked move, they ran in a simple try under the posts to make the score 17 -12 with less than 40 minutes on the clock.
The wind was certainly taking its toll and Stafford could barely find a way out of their own half. A number of scrums were lost, and kicks went astray, as they tried to hold on to their slender lead. It was a valiant defensive effort as another try saving tackle help keep Lichfield at bay.
It couldn’t last and, from another lost scrum, the visitors equalised to level the scores. And with less than ten minutes left they went into the lead for the first time when their scrum half took advantage of some weary legs to sprint in from inside the 22.
The home side threw everything at it with some promising attacks - Marley Thomas and Raine in particular looking like they may find a way through - but in the end it was just not enough.

Coaches Comments:
We controlled the first half very well. We managed the game and were the better side. The wind turned after the interval, so it was virtually against us in both halves and we did not trust our kicking so found ourselves having to run the ball out from our own 22. That takes a lot of energy out of you.
We made some positional changes at half time and they may not have worked how we would have liked but I think a draw would have been a fair result. We have lost some powerful players in the pack recently and it is a credit that those who came into the front row today held their own.
I think Olly Croft was very good on the wing, Sam Edwards was the best number nine on the pitch in the first half and Liam Quindos had one of his best performances in the running.