Stafford Marvels and Shropshire Stags vs Daventry 4th XV

The Marvels & Stags (M&S) welcomed Daventry 4th XV to the County Ground for the reciprocal friendly fixture of the season. The teams last met in October when the Marvels & Stags managed a 43 -55 victory away from home. It was a fantastic game played in true spirit by the Daventry 4th XV who adapted to facilitate the mixed ability form of the game.

The sun came out at Blackberry Lane to welcome the teams onto the dry artificial pitch. After a final inspection and team instruction by referee, Izzy Austen, the official blew the whistle to signal the start of the encounter. Daventry were the quickest out of the blocks and took a very early try to snatch he opportunity of the lead. The M&S leant on the youth in their ranks and soon struck back with a blistering try from Dan Clements, which was converted by his older brother Brad. The home side started to find some room and with the ball flying around the pitch Matt Walklate stepped around to everyone to add to the hosts tally, converted by Dan Parton. Daventry dug deep and managed to turn the tide of an increasingly tight game. Two successive tries retook the lead and gave the visitors a seven-point cushion. The M&S wouldn’t lie down and voices echoed across the ground as they continually urged each other on. Daventry put up an excellent defence which kept spoiling any continuity. But they could only watch as Maciej Drywa put on the afterburners, flying across for a try to reduce the deficit to a mere three points. This was followed by a more inelegant assault by the forwards which culminated with Jack West adding a try and Reuben Sutton kicking the conversion for the lead. Matt Powell showed a delicacy to his skills as he stepped through several tackles but was agonisingly bought down just short of the line. It was left to Duncan Howe to close off a busy period, carrying defenders over with a short-range charge for a bruising try, converted by Brad Clements. The Marvels & Stags went into half time leading 33 – 22 but having to put in a tiring shift against a dangerous Daventry performance.

Now playing towards a raucous club house the M & S seemed to tap into a new seam of energy for the second half. It was helped by their large bench which enabled fresh legs to be rolled on and off. Scoring opened with another lung busting Dan Clements run, which eluded the defenders to add to his personal tally with a second try of the match. In a direct mirror of the first half this was followed by a try by Matt Walklate who this time was forced to burrow r through opposition bodies to find the white wash, covered by Reuben Sutton. The M&S then evened up the numbers as they loaned a tiring Daventry a few players to close out the match. The black & gold wall of attacking players became relentless as the visiting men in black due their heels in to hold back the home side flow. It was an entertaining game of rugby with each team countering the other in a physical game of strategy. Probing for the gaps the M&S stretched the defence from one side of the field to the other until Simon McDonald burst into space for a superb try. There were some sluggish legs on both teams and the tackles were visibly starting to hurt. With a few knocks to both sides the game started to dwindle to a close. It was left to Dan Clements to close off the game as he took his third try of the afternoon, young legs finding the energy to outstrip some plucky opposition. The shrill sound of the referees whistle called a halt to proceedings, with the M&S repeating their away form to end with a treasure trove of fifty five points.

If you would like to join in with Mixed Ability we train every Monday night down the club, or just ask in the club who will point you towards someone who can help or drop Danni Bayley a line.

Next MAR Match; Saturday 24th February 2024, Home vs Derby Mixed Ability.