Sunday 9th January Stafford Roses U18s took 12 players to Walsall on a bright and crisp afternoon to challenge an in form Walsall team who came into the game on the back of two high scoring victories. With the welcome addition of an additional player kindly donated by Walsall a 13 aside game started.
After some tentative initial encounters the first score came after some excellent forward play, securing the ball through several phases of play before Caitlin Felstead’s darting run breached the Walsall defences from where she carried the ball over in the corner before cutting back to score under the posts. Having received the ball from the kick off the forwards again dominated through the middle of the park before releasing the backs who came very close to scoring a second try in the corner but where pushed back by a strong defensive effort from Walsall. But, as became a theme throughout the game, Stafford dominated the ruck, retained possession and shift the ball to the centre of the park where Mae Plenderlieth drove several Walsall players over the line to score Staffords second try of the game under the posts. After the restart Walsall pressed quickly and held Stafford on their 22 until Tianna Tizley broke through the line handing off several players before resisting an excellent cover tackle from the Walsall fullback and driving over the line for Staffords third try in 15 minutes.
Walsall reacted to Stafford’s fast start and were not ready to throw in the towel. Having been awarded a scrum after Stafford knocked on from the restart, they scored quickly in the right corner and came away with heads held high and keen to get stuck into Stafford. However, Stafford were not phased by Walsall’s reply and Saskia Conaghan converted her own try after scoring Staffords 4th, making the scoreline 5 - 22 to the visitors.
What followed was Staffords most impressive passage of play this season, having retained the ball through a dozen phases, an excellent backs play took the ball out to the left wing and a superb off load released Lizzy Oxley to run in Staffords 5th. The first half closed with Stafford leading the hosts 27-5 after a very competitive forwards contest in the middle of the park.
The second half started with a similarly competitive period when after 10 minutes Stafford were unfortunate not to score after an excellent kick chase almost released Saskia, whose fly kick ended in touch 5 metres from the Walsall line. Having won the resulting line out Tianna was unlucky not to get her second try of the day as she was held up over the line. Verity Bellingham caught the goal line drop out and drove the ball back into the Walsall defensive line and scored in the corner which was converted by Saskia for her 3rd of the day.
Stafford went from strength to strength, appearing to grow in confidence the longer the game went on and improving with every passage of play. Starting in the corner on their own 5m line they passed the ball through the back line to the far wing and used the overlap to break into the opposition half. The supporting runners kept the ball alive until they were brought to ground on their opponents 22 before the backs passed through to the left wing before a loose pass resulted in a knock leaving Rose White frustrated having been denied a near certain try. Stafford were not down hearted though and pressured Walsall after the resulting scrum and where able to turn over the ball allowing Tianna to drive over for Staffords next try, which was converted by Saskia.
From the restart Walsall pressured Stafford into an unusual error, and a penalty for Walsall on Staffords 5m line. However, with their tales up Stafford were not going to concede an inch and quickly turned the ball over. Verity made a kick exit to take the pressure off and the subsequent chase secured valuable territory. Again Stafford turned over the ball and quickly released the guest right winger who received excellent support from centre’s Caitlin and Saskia who were able to take play to the 22 before releasing Verity to score Staffords 8th under the posts.
From the restart Verity’s clearance kick and strong chase results in Stafford possession and another excellent running play to release Caitlin Felstead for her second try of the match. From the restart Stafford are lucky to pounce on a fumbled interception and Saskia drops on her own fly kick to score under the posts and the conversion seals an excellent victory for the Roses.
Coaches Awards
Dick of the Day - Rose White for doing everything she could to avoid scoring!
Backs Player of the Match - Saskia for a really complete performance in the centres
Forwards - Tianna for her hat trick.
Special mention for Lizzy for excellent shift at fullback and Elizabeth for defensive duties.

Match Report by Stewart Felstead