Stafford Panthers U18s V Crewe and Nantwich U18s - National Cup

Match report by: John Wilson

A downpour half an hour before kick off set the environmental conditions to Maximum Mud today, though thankfully the rain had eased off for the spectators come kick-off it was still going to be a wet ball and slippery out there.

The game began at quite a tempo with Stafford charging into the Crewe Half – an early high tackle from Stafford gave C&N an advantage and they kicked upfield for a line-out. This wasn’t delivered straight which gave Stafford their 1st scrum.
There followed some phases back and forth in the middle of the park and some great carries by our forwards but there was a knock-on, the first of many today with that slippery ball, which gave C&N the scrum.
Crewe looked about to break free but a great tackle from Bea out on the wing slowed their advance and gave Stafford the advantage.
With 10 minutes gone, Stafford win a line-out and try to get the ball out down their line – and it works! Great try by Della Latham to start the scoring which she then converts.
Stafford 7 Crewe & Nantwich 0
Crewe restart but the strong winds against them and the ball didn’t get the required distance, scrum in the middle of the park to Stafford. Stafford press the attack and charge forward, putting constant pressure with phases of play all around the Crewe 22 line. Though Crewe defended fiercely it wasn’t enough to stop Stafford’s momentum and Mae carried the ball over the line for our 2nd Try. This conversion kick was unsuccessful but it was a way out and the strong wind played its part. Approx 16 minutes gone:
Stafford 12 Crewe & Nantwich 0
It was never in doubt that both teams looked up for the competition and Crewe had some good attacking plays from the restart and before we knew it, Stafford were defending their try line and Crewe got one over the line.
Stafford 12 Crewe 5
20 minutes gone now and from the restart Stafford drop the ball and Crewe are chasing an equaliser – some great tackles here by Millie and some real pressure from Charlotte kept them at bay.
27 minutes gone and Crewe were in the ascendancy but a big carry forward from Caitlin Saunders brought the play back to the middle and Stafford were trying to get back control of the ball. After several tussles in the middle Crewe got the ball for their lineout on the Stafford 22.
Stafford defended stoutly but that slippery ball was playing havoc with our handling and Crewe get the ball over the line between the posts – scoring and then converting their 2nd Try.
Stafford 12 Crewe 12 (33 mins)
A long injury pause took us up to half time with the game hanging in the balance – though all the team had put a good shift in with every player doing themselves proud we somehow found ourselves wondering if it wasn’t going to be enough.

Stafford started the 2nd half strong again and after a few more slips eventually get it out down their line and move the play to the Crewe 22 line, where Crewe got a scrum. Crewe try and get play moved back up the pitch but big tackles were still going in by the Stafford players and they edged forward to the Crewe Try line – 10 minutes gone.
Another line-out error from Crewe gave Stafford the scrum and we’re still knocking on the door so close to their line.
13 minutes gone and another injury pause with a Crewe player down gave us all a couple of minutes to look around and marvel at the fact that all 4 pitches at Stafford were filled with girls and ladies playing excellent, competitive rugby to a high standard.
Some fantastic work from KJ our Scrum Half who helping Stafford get back in to dominating the game but 20 minutes gone and the scores were still level…Crewe were defending their Try line fiercely. They kicked it up as far as they could but sure hands and a great run from Poppy carrying the ball back up kept the pressure on.
With the whole team keeping the pressure on and Mel on the field this half making some great strides forward it eventually paid off and after another couple of mistakes Stafford finally force the ball over the line in the hands of Rose, Try for Stafford. Della expertly converts and Stafford are back in control.
Stafford 19 Crewe & Nantwich 12 (24 minutes gone)
From the restart Stafford turnover and they’re charging forward again. Stafford smell blood and fierce carries forward takes us up near the Crewe Try line again (29mins)
Try for Stafford as Molly charges it over the line! The wind plays havoc with the conversion attempt again.
Stafford 24 Crewe 12 (31 minutes)
With 10 minutes ish to go, both teams were still going for it – Caitlin Saunders again made a great carry forward and then out to the backs with Mille, Poppy and Bea teaming it up to nearly get it over the line again, but not quite there.
Heading into the last few minutes and credit to Crewe & Nantwich they were desperately trying to get the ball forward and their pressure meant these last minutes of the game were nearly all played between Stafford’s 22 and Try line. Molly went off with a slight knock but she had been right in the thick of it all day and then Stafford see these last few, tense minutes out to claim victory in the Cup!
FULL TIME Stafford 24 Crewe & Nantwich 12

Though I’ve mentioned a few names above I could have talked about some great individual moments from every player today – a superb team effort in tricky conditions – especially to dig deep and have the belief that, when the match was level, there was still plenty more in the tank to see the game won.
Forward of the match – Mae
Back of the match – Hayley
Dame of the Day - KJ