With the bad weather in the winter causing a fixture backlog at the end of the season, both counties had to field players from clubs that might not have a chance otherwise.
NLD has 68 clubs to chose from whereas Staffs has only 29 clubs, so when 5 of the top 6 ranked clubs in the county cannot supply any players because of club duty, it is always going to be a tough ask for new players at this level.

The Staffs 22 man squad, superbly coached by John Widdowson, nearly pulled off what would have been a famous win at Newark on Saturday as they faced a formidable side, albeit put together in the last week.
Staffs fielded 5 players from Burton and the rest from level 7 clubs, Stafford, Tamworth and Leek with one Rugeley player as well.
It was to their collective credit that with only 4 minutes to go, they had the chance to win the game only for a penalty reversal to spark the last try from the hosts.
Staffs started brightly with the wind at their backs when captain Darryl Banton kicked a 4th minute penalty as the NLD front row was penalised for dragging the scrum down.
On 14 minutes, Staffs won another penalty and forced a line out 5 metres from the NLD line. A good catch by Joe Gazzard and short drive infield allowed Darryl Banton space on the blindside to pass to the onrushing hooker, Danny Clarke, to drive his way over for the opening try of the match. The conversion missed, but Staffs were up to 0-8.
On 24 minutes, NLD were awarded a penalty on the Staffs 22 and ominously they elected to scrum as their powerful forwards looked to dominate in the tight. 2 rucks later and the NLD blindside flanker went over for a try that remained unconverted, 5-8.
Staffs had a great chance to extend their lead on 33 minutes with another penalty but the kick went wide and the half ended with Staffs on the attack looking to keep the game fluid, but unable to break the NLD defence again.
Half time: NLD 5 - 8 Staffs.
On 44 minutes, a penalty to NLD saw them kick for the line on Staffs 5 meter line. A good catch and drive saw the open side flanker score his try. The conversion missed but NLD had taken the led for the 1st time at 10-8.
2 minutes later and the clearance kick from their 22 after the kick off, saw full back Dave Archer collect the ball on half way. With his electric pace he set off on a weaving run, eluding would be tacklers until well inside the NLD 22 where he offloaded to open side flanker Jono Parkinson who sprinted for the line and a fine riposte for the Staffs outfit. Darryl Banton converted and Staffs retook the lead at 10-15.
Back came NLD and on 53 minutes from a 5 metre scrum, Staffs were shoved back with the ball squirting out of the scrum and the alert flanker scored another try. The conversion was good and NLD regained the lead at 17-15.
On 62 minutes, Dave Archer kicked a successful penalty as the fluid continuity game Staffs had to play saw them win a decision for offside inside the NLD 22. Staffs retook the lead at 17-18.
4 minutes later and NLD scored their 4th try from a close range scrum as the bigger home pack controlled the ball well at the base of the scrum. The conversion was good and NLD retook the lead at 24-17.
Back came Staffs again as their young side threw the ball around, driving the ball wide and then catching the defence flat footed on 70 minutes. Darryl Banton scored the try from the base of the ruck as he darted through the gap. The conversion agonisingly missed leaving Staffs 24-23 down with 10 minutes to go.
There was all to play for now and Staffs knew they had to keep the ball and stay out of their own 22. Having won a penalty on their 22, they ran the ball out and set up a ruck on half way. They won a decision for slowing the ball at the ruck, but the touch judge spotted another infringement and the referee reversed the penalty. NLD kicked for the corner, won the lineout and drove over for their 5th and decisive try. A great conversion followed that ended the scoring at 31-23.
The lead had changed hands a few times in this game, but the difference was the size and control of the NLD pack as it looked like scoring every time it was near the Staffs 5 metre line. To their credit, the Staffs pack stuck manfully to its task and the backs tackled themselves to a standstill.
With 19 new players winning their county ties today and Dave Archer winning his county cap, Staffs can look forward to the home game versus Cumbria next Saturday at Burton, knowing that they can give another good account of themselves against a traditionally difficult opponent.
The training session this Thursday will start at 7pm and will be held at Stafford RFC.

Staffs Team:

15. Dave Archer (Burton); 14. Elliott Fowler (Leek), 13. Ben Veramu (Stafford), 12. Stu Lewis (Stafford), 11. Nick Palmer (Leek);
10. Liam McDermott (Leek), 9. Darryl Banton (Burton); 1. Joe Newton Taylor (Leek), 2. Danny Clarke (Burton), 3. Jamie Clarke (Leek), 4. Tom Williams (Stafford), 5. Joe Gazzard ( Burton), 6. Carl Williams (Stafford), 7. Jono Parkinson (Burton), 8. Rich Whatling (Stafford)
16. Tom Franks (Tamworth), 17. Kev Birt (Rugeley), 18. Danny Wayne (Tamworth), 19. Danny Norton (Tamworth), 20. Matt Walklate (Stafford), 21. Matt Slinn