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Sat 27 Jan 2024
Mixed Ability RugbyWorcester Mixed Ability
34
12
Simply MARVELous - as SaS put arch rivals Worcester to the sword
Steven McLuckie28 Jan - 20:05
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by Will Conaghan
Stafford Marvels and Shropshire Stags produced their best performance of the season to secure a first win of 2024.
It was a great advert for the ‘Mixed Ability’ game with the victory built on a strong pack setting the perfect platform for some fast hands and penetrating runs from the backs.
And to demonstrate the amazing spirit and inclusivity of Mixed Ability Rugby - the home team ran out to guard of honour from the Stafford Men’s Firsts, with the match also giving a senior debut to 15 year old referee Wyatt McLaughlin.
On the selection front, it was a welcome return from injury for Richard Baker who took his position on the wing and Joe Mason adding extra power to the forwards, as SaS looked to build on the impressive form of their previous outing.
It could not have started better for the home side with Mark Broomhall cheekily finding a gap on the blind side to open the scoring - with Reuben Sutton adding the extra two points.
And Broomhall was again involved as SaS stretched their lead. His pass finding half back partner, Matt Smith, and from around the halfway line the fly-half left defenders trailing as he weaved his way over. James Hughes added the conversion.
The opening 15 minutes had a strong Worcester side clearly rocked as they struggled to get through their opponents imposing forward line. Joe Mason setting the tone with crunching tackles to subdue the visitors’ attack - and captain Simon MacDonald making plenty of ground to support his teammates at every breakdown.
Seconds before the break Worcester managed to grab a try back to stop Stafford and Shropshire running away with the match. And they edged closer with another score after the restart - although full-back Will Conaghan would have been kicking himself for failing to make a covering tackle as they went over on the wing.
But that was the last time the visitors would breach the well drilled Stafford and Shropshire line - epitomised by Sutton and Hughes combining to dig the home team out of trouble deep in their own 22.
Time after time Matt Powell, Duncan Howe, Pete Mills and Alex Barclay were turning the ball over at rucks and allowing the backs - in particular the free running Sutton - to make inroads deep into their opponents half. They were ably assisted by the industrious Matty Hickman, standing in at hooker for the unavailable Zack Pressland, Maciej Drywa, whose turn of foot helped find gaps across the defence, and Dan Parton who was on hand to carry the ball on so many occasions.
The match was put to bed in the final 20 minutes with some of the best SaS play of the season so far. First Richard Walklate, who had been on the field a matter of seconds, took a looping pass from Smith to crash over in the corner.
Then Sutton got a well-deserved try when he went speeding away after a perfect delivery from scrum-half Broomhall. The icing on the cake was delivered by the number 9 who started and finished a move to grab his second and seal victory for Stafford and Shropshire.
Opponents POM - Alex Barclay
Coach’s POM - Will Conaghan
It was a great advert for the ‘Mixed Ability’ game with the victory built on a strong pack setting the perfect platform for some fast hands and penetrating runs from the backs.
And to demonstrate the amazing spirit and inclusivity of Mixed Ability Rugby - the home team ran out to guard of honour from the Stafford Men’s Firsts, with the match also giving a senior debut to 15 year old referee Wyatt McLaughlin.
On the selection front, it was a welcome return from injury for Richard Baker who took his position on the wing and Joe Mason adding extra power to the forwards, as SaS looked to build on the impressive form of their previous outing.
It could not have started better for the home side with Mark Broomhall cheekily finding a gap on the blind side to open the scoring - with Reuben Sutton adding the extra two points.
And Broomhall was again involved as SaS stretched their lead. His pass finding half back partner, Matt Smith, and from around the halfway line the fly-half left defenders trailing as he weaved his way over. James Hughes added the conversion.
The opening 15 minutes had a strong Worcester side clearly rocked as they struggled to get through their opponents imposing forward line. Joe Mason setting the tone with crunching tackles to subdue the visitors’ attack - and captain Simon MacDonald making plenty of ground to support his teammates at every breakdown.
Seconds before the break Worcester managed to grab a try back to stop Stafford and Shropshire running away with the match. And they edged closer with another score after the restart - although full-back Will Conaghan would have been kicking himself for failing to make a covering tackle as they went over on the wing.
But that was the last time the visitors would breach the well drilled Stafford and Shropshire line - epitomised by Sutton and Hughes combining to dig the home team out of trouble deep in their own 22.
Time after time Matt Powell, Duncan Howe, Pete Mills and Alex Barclay were turning the ball over at rucks and allowing the backs - in particular the free running Sutton - to make inroads deep into their opponents half. They were ably assisted by the industrious Matty Hickman, standing in at hooker for the unavailable Zack Pressland, Maciej Drywa, whose turn of foot helped find gaps across the defence, and Dan Parton who was on hand to carry the ball on so many occasions.
The match was put to bed in the final 20 minutes with some of the best SaS play of the season so far. First Richard Walklate, who had been on the field a matter of seconds, took a looping pass from Smith to crash over in the corner.
Then Sutton got a well-deserved try when he went speeding away after a perfect delivery from scrum-half Broomhall. The icing on the cake was delivered by the number 9 who started and finished a move to grab his second and seal victory for Stafford and Shropshire.
Opponents POM - Alex Barclay
Coach’s POM - Will Conaghan
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