U16's First Game of the 2021 season

After a gap of over 14 months since the last game of rugby played by the Stafford u15’s side, on tour at Tarleton, the now U16’s made the short trip to play Wolverhampton u16’s. Since the return of training in March the lads had been focused on the scheduled games in May and the return to competitive rugby. Both players and parents were very excited to see a full contact rugby games even with the adaptive rules meaning there were no scrums or mauls allowed.

The game got off to the worst possible start for the Stafford lads, conceding a try after only three minutes from a Wolverhampton lineout close to the Stafford line. Wolverhampton were licking their lips at what they thought would be a “cricket score of a game” but the early try only served to provide steel to the Stafford lads defense and a determination and to be resolute in the face of Wolverhampton’s heavy forwards attacking around the fringes of the ruck. Stafford had numerous chances to get a score back during the first half but some mistakes at the lineout and at rucks close to the Wolverhampton line meant they were unable to do so. The first half ended with the score line of 5 – 0 to Wolverhampton.

At the start of the 2nd half Wolverhampton where able to score their 2nd try of the game but Stafford did not let their heads drop. They were able to work their way out of their own half and got a lineout in Wolverhampton territory 40 meters from their line. From the lineout throw the Wolverhampton forwards again rushed the scrum half, Archie Bent, but he was able to side step the on rushing defenders and sprint through the gap to score the u16’s first try of the season and his first try for 3 years, much to Colin Averis’s annoyance (lol). He always like to see Archie in a dress at the end of season presentation for not scoring a try during the season. Billy Jones easily added the conversion.

As the game moved into the final quarter the sheer defensive effort from the Stafford lad’s started to take its toll with a few injuries, knocks and very tired bodies. This allowed Wolverhampton a bit more space and time at the breakdown and they were able to spread the ball wide and score a couple of tries late on. So the final score ending up as 20 – 7 to Wolverhampton.

For the parents and the coaches the final result was immaterial. The lads had played so well and with such defensive power and intelligence especially at the breakdown and across the back line. Everyone of the team put in a defensive shift and showed what may be possible in attack with a little more accuracy in the attacking moves. Wolverhampton coaches were surprise that they were not able to dominate the Stafford u16’s side as they had done previously with other teams they had played in the local area.

I would not say that the performance was worth the 14 months wait for competitive rugby to return. But it did justify all the hard work the lads had put into training in the build up to these 4 weekends of matches at the end of the extended season. Well done boys you made your coaches and your parents very proud and we look forward to playing another tough side in Telford u16’s next weekend.

Mark