Rugby was the winner as Stafford Marvels came out on top in the finest example of the mixed ability game.
There was a time when the Marvels would not have been able to field a full 15 when the club’s other senior men’s teams were playing on the same day. But those days are gone. Not only fielding 15 - the Marvels had a full bench and were also able to provide players to an under-strength Colwyn Bay Stingrays.
The match was littered with special moments, demonstrating how mixed ability rugby transcends the game. A father and son both getting tries, another Marvels debutant in John Free, four of the home side playing for the visitors, first ever scores for some Stingrays players, and junior players officiating in their ever match.
Great credit to Colwyn Bay for making the 200-mile round trip with only 14 available players after a bruising encounter in their previous match only seven days before. Stafford’s pocket-rocket, Nick Haines, returning from a shoulder injury, offered to swap jerseys to bring the visitors up to a full complement.
The sun shone brightly at Blackberry Lane - and so did Adam Bixter who went crashing over for the first of his hat-trick, after a sustained period of pressure with a series of strong carries in the opening minutes. Zack Pressland continued his excellent form with the boot this season to add the conversion.
Bixter soon got his hands on the ball again - making a barnstorming run from the halfway line in typical direct style to grab his second in quick succession.
And it wasn’t long before others got in on the scoring. This time Pressland broke into Stingrays’ territory before the ball was recycled to open side flanker Simon Macdonald who popped up on the wing to touch down in the corner.
It was inevitable try-machine Reuben Sutton would get on the scoresheet - which he did moments later for the first of his four tries - again converted by Pressland.
Bixter completed his hat-trick audaciously sidestepping the last defender to run in. Sutton added the conversion to take the score to 31-0 with only ten minutes on the clock.
Having been starved of any ball in the opening exchanges, the Stingrays regrouped and delivered a strong period of their own, with three tries in quick succession. Haines was instrumental in the resurgence, showing his Stafford team mates just what a handful he can be, including a David and Goliath moment, bouncing off Bixter as he charged forward.
Matt Smith, returning to the side from an extended break, collected the kick off and went on a snaking run, before off-loading to his co-captain Matty Hickman to crash over for his first try of the season. This time winger Simon Lewis added the extra points.
Marvels went forward with renewed vigour. Three quickly recycled rucks allowed Free to release Harrison MacDonald with plenty of work still to do. And the result a great Marvels moment as it meant father and son both had tries - with Macdonald senior celebrating while having a rest on the halfway line.
Dad was not going to be overshadowed as he popped up on the wing to finish off another phase slick phase of play. The gates were now opened as Sutton’s dancing feet mesmerised the defence to bring up the half century. And Pressland got in on the act as he spotted a gap in the middle of the Bay defence and went storming through to score.
When an injury forced the visiting full back off - Stafford’s Pete Mills stepped in to help them out. Although he also didn’t last the full 60 minutes after being kicked in the head by Aaron Entwistle - his normal compatriot in the Stafford pack.
Two tries in quick succession for the visitors, both from the kick off, demonstreted the never say character of the Stingrays. Sutton was now in his element, finding gaps in the tiring defence as he notched up his hat-trick making it 60-31. A lung-busting run from Matt Powell setting the platform for Sutton to add his fourth.
Two other home side favourites - Smith and Gareth Westwell - also donned Colwyn Bay jerseys to ensure the game finished with 15 players on each side.
The closing stages of the game was a true exhibition of Mixed Ability rugby, with end-to-end rugby on show to a growing crowd - and both teams trading tit-for-tat scores. Stafford’s back row lined up on the left wing, sniffing out another try for the forwards, and, after repeated attempts, Entwistle crashed over from short range.
The visitors again hit back but it was left for reliable winger James Hughes to cap off another fine performance with a mazy run which eluded several tacklers to touch down under the posts - and then convert his own try.
Awards:

Opposition Player – Harrison ‘Full Contact’ Macdonald
Players Player – Nick ‘Judas’ Haines
Donkey of the Day – James ‘part time’ Van Nijkerk – with honourable mention to Aaron ‘friendly fire’ Entwistle

Tries:
Reuben Sutton (4)
Adam Bixter (3)
Simon Macdonald (2)
Harrison Macdonald
Aaron Entwistle
James Hughes
Zack Pressland
Matt Hickman
Conversions:
Zack Pressland
Reuben Sutton
Simon Lewis