Hustle hit and never quit

22nd April 2023 11am kick off

Stafford vs Newport

A proud Stafford Terriers Rugby Team welcomes Newport to it's Multi million pound facility

The stand was a likely home for the Parents and fans due to the dark cloud coverage but the rugby gods held the weather back for what was about to be a great game of rugby.

Stafford arrived early for a 45minute warm-up prior to the match.

Looking like a well oiled machine at this point of the season, Stafford seem to have realised that winners are made when know one is watching. The coaching team had the lads well drilled and fired up for another "One team, one spirit, one win attitude" game.

Stafford turned up with 29 strong verses Newports 17 due to some injuries.

Staffords challenge would be getting everyone game time but keeping the momentum and Newports challenge would be keeping up the energy levels due to only two subs.

Congratulations to our new Director of Rugby Collin, who is our referee for today's clash.

Collin would certainly earn his free Pint from today's battle.

So I found out I had been volentold for doing a match report 5minutes after kick off, it appears everyone took a Step back which meant it looked like I took one step forward.

Quarter 1

We start with 5minutes of back and forth in the middle of the pitch with Stafford possession, Danail trucked up and got over the Newports try line for the first try of the morning.

Stafford 5 - 0 Newport

Will B to take the conversion for Stafford with an excellent strike of the "right shaped ball" screams between the posts for a Great start for the Terriers with the flags going up to indicate the points gained.

Stafford 7 - 0 Newport

Newport take the kick off, Stafford receive the ball with "a name on it" we remain at the halfway point for around 5mins. Some good tackling from Fraser on the wing, turnover and a quick pass out to Leon who's got his "go faster stripe" on again as it seemed to work against Trentham last Sunday.

Leon was tackled once Newport could track him down, only after making it half way up the pitch into Newports territory, it was Staffords ruck but pressure was being applied to see a knock on from Stafford and turnover to Newport with a scrum on the 22.

The ball comes out of the scrum on Newports side, big tackles made by Stafford but we didn't roll away so Newports penalty kick for the line and gain 15-20 meters. penalty

Stafford come away with the ball from the lineout, great line ran from Mason out of a quick ball lineout. (Mason is on it today) A few turnovers between the two teams, Newport kick to Stafford and Leon received "of all people to kick to"

We knew Leon was fast but pretty soon Newport would know it too, Leon harnesses the go faster stripe and runs through half the Newport pack dodging and weaving, throwing some of his ankle breakers for good measure and gets over the line for try number 2 for Stafford.

Stafford 12 - 0 Newport

Will B to take the conversion from a wide angle on the 22, Great strike but just goes wide.

This concludes the first Quarter of Rugby with a strong start from Stafford doing the coaches and themselves proud.

A large majority of the Stafford team swapped due to the squad size, essentially a new team for

Quarter 2.

Stafford kick to Newport, great catch from Newport and they proceed to attack the Stafford half. Some great running from Newport but ultimately not good enough to get past Fin H in the full back position, Great tackle especially as Newport had an overlap. Newport ruck over and continue the serge to the tryline only to be held up by three Stafford players just over the line.

Stafford restart with a kick to Newport out from the tryline, unfortunately the ball goes straight to the fast Newport winger and he manages to get over the line with a last minute tackle on the line from Fin H but it was too late and Newport had enough momentum to score the try.

Stafford 12 - 5 Newport

Conversion missed from a tricky wide angle for Newport.

We all witnessed the corner flags demise at this point, shattered into a million pieces! Now we all know why we look for corner flags on tour. (Wink wink Director of Rugby)

Harry W kicks the restart for Stafford with a big chase from Connor who catches the ball much like Jude did a few weeks ago. Connor was quickly jackled by Newport and a turnover in Newport half.

Newport take the penalty kick and fire it straight to the fullback position which Fin H is waiting patiently for the ball, catches with ease and now for the Gas, gas, gas! Fin quickly turns the pace up and gets Stafford up to the halfway Mark with some fast feet.

Newport make the tackle and Stafford ruck over to retain possession, the ball gets kicked up field and Stafford retain the ball once again.

Stafford lose the ball in the battle however Newport knock it on for the possession to be handed straight back to stafford. Fin H kicks to the line for a Stafford lineout.

Stafford lineout sees Harry H truck it up to the Newport forwards with no fear, unfortunately Harry took a knock to the head and for moments was knocked unconscious.

Fast response from Stafford coaching team (2 Paramedics and 1 Doctor)

The game took a pause for Harry H to recover, a stretcher arrived but Harry's fighting spirit meant he wasn't getting on that stretcher "He rose up much like Tyson Fury did against Deontay Wilder" walked off the pitch to cheers and claps from all, with his head held high.

I would have also clapped at this point but apparently I've got a match report to think of so like any British journalist I carried on regardless! Wishing for a speedy recovery Harry H.

At this point they called the end of Quarter 2.

Stafford 12 - 5 Newport

Quarter 3

The two teams swap halves with no real change in advantage.

Newport demonstrated some strong play to get out of there half, Fin G received the ball and carried well from full back, tackled with a turnover to Newport.

Fin H was now in the winger position which Newport had a numerical advantage with a two man overlap, Fin H stands the player up with an important tackle to stop the overlap from being effective.

Scrum Stafford ball, Newport push well at the scrum and put pressure on a well drilled Stafford pack with a turnover to Newport and 10meters gained.

Another important tackle wide from Fin H due to the Newport overlap again, this seemed to be repeated several times with the Newport overlap and big tackles from Fin H to stop the advancing players.

Fin H takes possession and runs it into Newport territory, tackled but the Newport player doesn't roll away so kick to Stafford.

Stafford Kick for the lineout and at this point it's back and forth between the two teams but Newport gain possession from the scrum and sprint down the right wing with a big tackle by Fraser but managed to score the try with fast feet and fast hands.

Stafford 12 - 10 Newport

No conversion by Newport due to the wide angle.

In the midst of the tackles it seems Stafford have lost another corner flag into several pieces.

Good job we are in tour next weekend, so we can replenish.

Harry W restarts for Stafford, big chase from Stafford which forced the mistakes so end up with a lineside kick.

Between the two teams some handling mistakes were forced which ended up with a Newport scrum just after the 22.

Stafford force a mistake and turnover the ball for Ed Smith and Big Carta to make some big carries. Stafford end up with a penalty kick with Fin H kicking for lineside.

Stafford forwards have several attempts at getting over the try line at this point but Matty with his change of speed and direction ends up over the line for another Stafford try.

Stafford 17 - 10 Newport

Harry W for the conversion but just nudged it right of the post.

End of Quarter 3

Stafford Huddle one last time for a team talk and some motivational speaking from the coaches.

Quarter 4

Newport are set up ready and waiting, Stafford still feel in the huddle making sure they take all the wisdom and coaching for the last big push to secure the (Big W)

Stafford attack with intention and determination to end this battle at the restart.

Mason catches from a lineout passes to Jude with some turn of pace the ball goes wide for Fraser and some big tackles being made at this point. Mason with another big carry, bodies are on the line at this point! Ed Smith gets the ball from a ruck inches from the line and gets the try.

Stafford 22 - 10 Newport

Will B for a tough conversion just inches wide of the post but a great effort.

Newport restart with the kick, Stafford kick back with a lineout going Newport way.

Newport knock on at the lineout with the ball going to Stafford in the scrum.

Will B passes out to the backs some quick ball but unfortunately a knock on from Stafford.

Great tackles from Jude and Fin H out wide but Newport Winger and "flag wrecker" scores another try out wide.

Stafford 22 - 15 Newport

Newport conversion had good trajectory but not enough pace, so fell short of the posts.

Stafford restart with 90 seconds left on the clock, Will B makes the kick and the ball ultimately ends up in Stafford hands now with probably less than 60 seconds on the clock.

MASON comes out of know where with running lines that a premiership rugby player would be proud of and smashed through not one, not two but three Newport forwards still 5meters away from the try line.

No white line fever here....... Some huge strength running with three forwards hanging off him (Gym work paying off - Don't hope for it, work for it) and drives with the refusal to not score the try.

............Mason scores the try.

Stafford 27 - 15 Newport

Will B to take the conversion from a very hard angle but just slightly wide.

We must have had milliseconds left for the restart but we restarted.

Some high tackles from Newport, Jacob driving forwards with the ball into Newports half, big runs from Stafford forwards showing what a strong pack can do.

Newport weren't 10 at the tap and go and at this point Newport lost some discipline and received a yellow card from the referee for back chat.

Tap and go with Danail scoring the last Stafford try.

Stafford 32 - 15 Newport

Will B out the icing on the cake with the conversion also.

Stafford 34 - 15 Newport Final Score

What a match, Stafford U15s Terriers should be very proud of that performance some great individual play but also some amazing team play. One man can be crucial on a team but one man can't make a team.

MOTM voted by the coaches goes to Danail.

I have the privilege to nominate Mason as my MOTM

Well done all, apologies if I've missed anything out. This match report malarkey isn't as easy as it sounds.

Dedication + Motivation = Success