STAFFORD LADIES XV vs STONE LADIES XV. 7TH FEBRUARY 2020. FRIENDLY MATCH.

In the second fixture between the teams, Stone visited Coopers Park for a Friday night fixture against Stafford Ladies. The previous encounter saw Stafford loosing out by five point to twenty-two in their inaugural game of the newly formed XV. The home side fielded an impressive squad of twenty-five players testament to the strong re-establishment of Ladies rugby in Stafford.

Stafford started the strongest and the opening period saw the battling XV creating opportunities in various areas of the field. Stone defended strongly but couldn’t stop Vera Heimsoth from crossing the line, but the referees whistle denied the score and called play back for an infringement. The home side continued to test the resolve of the visitors and all of the rugby was being played in the Stone half of the pitch. The Stafford passing was fluid and when the ball found its way to Sarah Preston nothing was going to stand in the way of the first try of the game courtesy of a storming run which blitzed through the defence. Building on the momentum the Stafford assault was relentless leaving Stone to endure the storm. The visiting XV put in a good performance but ran out of defenders to prevent Laura Hollinshead from taking the second try of the evening. Stafford went into half time leading 10-0 but having to work hard against a strong Stone performance.

With ten minutes of the second half elapsed an injury to one of the Stone players left the visitors shorthanded. Playing in the spirit of a friendly fixture Stafford cycled through various members of their squad to maintain XV for Stone on the pitch. The visitors started to play some of their best rugby of the evening, establishing a good foothold in the opposition territory. A Stone scrum close to Stafford line created the platform for the visitors to swarm through for their first try of the game, which was converted. An excellent defensive set by Stafford helped to contain a resurgent display by the travellers. Stone had to scrap for every inch of possession and It took until deep into the second half for them to take an exhausting converted try for the win.

The players of the match were winger Vera Heimsoth and centre Megan Challinor.

Stafford Squad:
1. Lucy Cartlidge
2. Clare Plenderleith
3. Brandon McLaughlin
4. Deb Phillips
5. Tyra Purvis
6. Kim Walton
7. Gill Farmery (c)
8. Laura Matthews
9. Cath Anthony
10. Bobbi Prendergast Sherratt
11. Vera Heimsoth
12. Megan Challinor
13. Sarah Preston
14. Ricci Riley
15. Danni Bayley
16. Daniela Sommer-Oswianny
17. Bryony Cornwall-Ayland
18. Fiona Preston
19. Ellen Matthews
20. Sophi Kowalewska-Fry
21. Lou Kowalewska-Fry
22. Karen Payne
23. Laura Hollinshead
24. Nik Joyce
25. Caroline Fawcett