Stafford welcomed Halifax Magpies for their latest encounter in a packed season of mixed ability rugby. The teams last met in an April 2025 encounter which ended in a close run 33 – 46 win for the always tenacious Marvels. The Magpies showed their great club spirit in managing to muster a team to travel for an away Easter weekend fixture. The Marvels fielded an experienced squad with a good number of replacements prowling around the technical area. In support of the recent Down Syndrome Day a number of players wore odd socks, glitter, hula skirts, tartan headbands and even a very individual dress. The weather wasn’t buying into the afternoons festivities and a cruel wind whipped around the County Ground.

Stafford started very strongly as the hours of training kicked in with some slick handling gaining useful field position. As the home forwards rumbled around the pitch, Will Conaghan orchestrated play and gaps started to appear. In a flowing move, which very much pleased the coach, the ball was shipped through the hands. A floral print clad Jack West wasn’t impeded by his flapping skirt and a decent pass released Steve Fairhurst to cruise across the line for a try, converted by Zack Pressland. The Magpies flew back into the fray and created some good opportunities of their own but the visiting XV just couldn’t break out of their own half. The Marvels remained composed in defence and kept their heads until the ball was eventually prised loose. With the wind still gusting across the pitch possession changed hands a couple of times and a hard-working referee was just manging to keep the game flowing. An unfortunate fluke collision bounced a Halifax player into touch and an unlucky twist caused the game to be temporarily halted whilst initial treatment was undertaken. The Marvels lent the Magpies a couple of players to keep up a competitive contest and the game resumed. The home side fed off the disruption and marched the opposition back down the pitch. Digging deep the Magpies put up an effective resistance before Jack West sprinted through everyone for a try, converted by James Hughes. Due to the number of civilians now on the pitch assisting with the injured Halifax warrior whilst waiting for an ambulance, the referee called proceedings to a close and led the teams off the field.

Relocating to a grass pitch, both teams dusted themselves down to resume the rugby. More Marvels players joined the visitors to put familiar faces into some unfamiliar colours. Interspersed with the silky rugby were some meaty hits from both teams. A particularly brutal run from Joe Mason crashed into Halifax ringer Matt Powell, before delicately pirouetting across the line for a try, converted by Simon Lewis. The hosting bench continued to support their Halifax brethren and players swapped shirts to provide some respite from the energy sapping game. Still modelling this years must have dress, Jack West found a new career on the wing and showed all his pace to secure his second try of the afternoon, converted by Simon Lewis. The Yorkshire XV wouldn’t lie down and were taking any opportunity to attack. Eventually the battling Halifax Magpies broke the home side defence and they crossed to take a very well-deserved try. The game continued to swing back and forth until the Marvels again seized back some modicum of control. Morgan Jones started to find space for some elusive carries which ate up the territory. Now sniping from deep within Magpies territory the visitors had to maintain an exhausting vigilance against the relentless Marvels. Despite a well drilled defence, they couldn’t contain the experienced and constantly wily Mark Broomhall who snuck across for a try converted by Ayden Lillico. The teams continued to trade possession until the referee called time on an excellent afternoon of mixed ability rugby.

Next Marvels Match: Saturday 18th April vs Colwyn Bay Stingrays, away K.O. 2pm.