Stafford U16 Roses travelled to Lichfield for a friendly fixture after storm Darragh had caused wide spread disruption and cancellation of most other games locally. Stafford were missing a number of their established players but manged to have 14 players available.
Stafford started the game quickly with Beth opening the scoring with a strong run after only 2 minutes. However, Lichfield hit back when their strong running number 8 shrugged off several Stafford defenders to score their opening try. But that score proved to be their only points of the first half and it seemed to spark the Stafford girls into action. Sophia scored Stafford’s 2nd try when she picked up a loose ball in mid field and outpaced the Lichfield defenders. Tink took over the kicking duties and slotted the conversion from in front of the posts. Stafford forwards then really started to get on top with some determined carries and some excellent rucking. As a result Tink forced her way over for Staffords next try before AJ added two quick fire tries one from good handling from midfield and the second directly from a Lichfield restart. Lily rounded off the first half by scoring a try in the left hand corner after picking the ball up from midfield. Tink had converted 4 of the first half tries which left the score at the midway point as 5 – 38.

From the restart kick Stafford knocked the ball on and from the resultant uncontested scrum the Lichfield number 8 picked the ball from the base and scored under the posts. That score again seemed to spark the Stafford girls into action and from a Stafford scrum just inside the Lichfield half the ball was passed down the blind side to AJ who was well tackled by the Lichfield defenders, but the forwards rucked well and recycled the ball. As the ball was passed down the line it looked like Sophia was scoring in the corner only to be tackled short but she popped the ball to Imogen who dotted down for her first try for Stafford. AJ then got her hattrick score with another long range gut busting run before Olivia finished off the scoring with a sharp piece of work from a ruck close to the Lichfield line.
Final score: Lichfield 12- Stafford 57

It was another very good win for Stafford but it came at some cost with Isla getting what looked like a nasty knee injury, Beth going down late on with another knee injury and Rubi getting a knock to her shoulder. Hopefully all the girls wont spend too long on the side lines. With so many injuries to established players the team really stepped up and put in a performance. The tackling was excellent and the rucking and counter rucking were outstanding. There were some stand out performances from the forwards and the fast running Stafford backs caused Lichfield problems all game. Olivia kept the Lichfield forwards on the back foot with fast ball from the base of the rucks and Peggy, Lily and Beth carried strongly into the heart of the Lichfield defence. Nyrah playing out of positing at wing forward had a great game and AJ was nominated as the player of the match by Lichfield.
Well played girls a very good performance in a game that many thought would be called off because the storm on the Saturday. But despite the cold and rainy conditions the Stafford girls stepped up and registered another convincing win.
Well done girls, see you at training on Tuesday.
Mark