Stafford RUFC mixed ability team, the Marvels, welcomed a travelling opposition from Greater Manchester. The Bolton Buccaneers were new opponents for the mighty Marvels and with an established squad promised a stern test for the evolving County Town team.

The speed of the Marvels start took everyone by surprise as slick handling ate up the yards until the Buccaneers managed to haul everything to a stop, just short of the line. Nobody was allowed to catch their breathe before Paul Smith powered through the defenders to take the first try of the afternoon. As the visitors settled, they started to play some exciting rugby which tested the Blackberry Lane resolve. With their tails in the air, the Bolton XV intercepted a wayward pass to tear up the field for an equalising try. With the first twenty-minute period over the scores were tied in a tight game. The commencement of the second period saw some mighty hits from both sides as the tackles came in from all angles. A heroic carry from James Hughes ended with an unfortunate landing which saw one of the Marvels originals off injured for the remainder of the game. The ferocious encounter didn’t calm down and a particularly chaotic phase left several bodies strewn across the pitch. After an exhausting effort Joe Mason was the second home side player to be sidelined due to a niggling injury. With the play very much in the balance, it took a silky run from Phil Nolan to take his debut Stafford try and earn his new nickname of Fabio. Matt Powell soon took the third with a more brutish charge, converted by Zack Pressland. It was left to the hard-working Buccaneers to close off the period. Some superb running rugby left the defenders rooted to the spot and mesmerising footwork stepped through for a try. The Marvels went into half time leading 17 – 12 but having to contain a feisty performance from the Buccaneers.

With the break over, Stafford started to cause havoc out wide. Simon Lewis anchored one wing and was proving to be an ever-annoying handful for the tiring defenders. However, two flying tries from Aaron Entwhistle on the opposite wing re-established a decent home side lead which was added to by a Zack Pressland conversion. Entering into the final twenty-minute period both teams were visibly tiring, so some of the Marvels jumped ship to the Buccaneers to provide fresher legs. Will Conaghan nearly made an exhilarating break, but the referee’s whistle called play back for a forward pass. A nasty injury to Nick Haines added to the Marvels injury list, causing a mini shuffle to cover positions. The Buccaneers weren’t done though and showed all of their heart with some lung busting rugby which tapped into the remaining energy reserves. Rolling the home side back down the pitch the defenders couldn’t respond. A breakaway solo run saw a stand out attack scythe through the Marvels to take the final try of an enjoyable afternoon of rugby.

Next Marvels Match: Saturday 19th October vs Dragon Allstars, Away. K.O. 14:30.