Stafford welcomed Stourport Mixed Ability for their first ever visit to the County Ground. The visitors bought a more conventional looking team with a few orange vests interspersing the Stourport colours in a nod to the mixed format. The Marvels were their normal diverse selves with a space for anyone who wanted a run out no matter what their ability. The teams last met in a murky December encounter which ended in an exhausting 17 – 17 draw.

Stourport started strongly and the early carries revealed a well drilled XV who knew their way around a rugby pitch. The Marvels tried to respond but were forced reluctantly backwards to eventually concede the first try. This was soon followed by a couple more scores before the battling home side managed to find the anchor to halt the accomplished attack. With orders being barked across the pitch the heart of the County Town XV was fully on show and the Marvels started to find some success. Stourport were hitting everything in front of them and a couple of the none contact players took some very exuberant touches which nearly knocked their bibs off. However, Reuben Sutton found room to run and left several of the much heavier opposition rooted to the spot, it took a strong hit to stop him which was immediately contritely apologised for. The visitors fed off their clearly established rugby experience and were taking some of their newer to rugby opposite numbers to school. There was slight confusion in the Marvel ranks when the occasional Stourport bib players went in as a guard at the breakdown, technically switching between both sides of the contact game. Simon Lewis was prowling around the pitch and working tirelessly to be anywhere which would disrupt the Stourport game. But the visitors continued to exploit their advantage and a couple more tries closed off the period. The Marvels went into half time trailing 0 – 35 and but having put in a long shift in a challenging game.

With a half time team talk buoying them up, the Marvels retook the field with a spring in their steps. Cheered on by a raucous clubhouse the XV started to move the ball around the park. James Hughes made some hard yards as he was always on hand to make up the extra man with some relentless running. The visitors kept a tight stranglehold on proceedings and their tiring legs had moved the game to a slower pace but with a steely determination to keep out any scores. The Marvels continued to make chances and a lung busting run by Morgan Jones carried the ball deep into the opposition territory but a strong touch from a competitive Stourport player shunted the attempt across the sideline. The Blackberry Lane XV were working very hard for each other with Ayden Lillico becoming a key part of the back line whilst Zack Pressland continued to marshal the forwards into an attacking shape. Deep into the game Ollie Pyke showed off his juggling skills as he finally subdued an uncompliant ball but was hauled to the ground for his efforts. In the final attack of the game Reuben Sutton looked to have broken through the defence and a supporting Will Conaghan was on hand to cross the line. But the referees whistle called the play back and after a brief glance at the watch signalled the end of the game.

Next Marvels Match: Saturday 28th February vs Worcester Mixed Ability, home K.O. 2pm.