Stafford welcomed Luctonians for the first league game of the October leg of the campaign. The journey from Leominster was a sizeable with circa a 128-mile round trip separating the clubs. The two teams last tangled in the 2022/23 season when the Blackberry Lane XV faced off against the Herefordshire’s side 2nd XV. Early season stats saw the hosts with a win & loss versus a travelling two losses. Storm Amy was still being felt as a strong wind buffeted the ground, but it did help to keep the grey rain clouds at bay.

Stafford started the game playing with the wind, which was a bonus for kicking and a challenge for passing. A couple of early breaks nearly undid the visiting XV, but the defence managed to plug any eventual gaps. The Blackberry Lane XV continued to steer their way towards the club house and a rapid succession of attacks ended with a penalty. Snatching the ball off the floor, Captain Alex Rock took a quick tap and crashed across the line for a try which he then converted. Luctonians afternoon got worse when they were reduced to fourteen with the first yellow card of the encounter. In response Stafford attempted an audacious kick from the half way line, the accuracy was good but the wind just failed to carry it the distance. With all the momentum against them the visitors had to endure some long attritional periods of play. When they did eventually got possession, Alistair Weedon spoilt the play with a strong strip to wrestle the ball away and Stafford reverted back into attack mode. With the line in sight again, a quick tap penalty by Alex Rock took the second try of the afternoon. Luctonians started to play some good rugby and found their way deep into County Town territory for the first time. The defence stood firm and some excellent spoiling play led to the ball squirting loose. It was scooped up by Jack Raine who ran the length of the pitch, through most of the suddenly sluggish visitors to take a scorching try, converted by Alex Rock. A yellow card reduced Stafford to a temporary fourteen following an enthusiastic tackle. But Luctonians couldn’t capitalise as some backchat saw the penalty reversed and then the visitors were marched back further as they continued to harangue the match official. The teams continued to swap possession until Joben Corcoran soared high to steal a line out. The ball was shipped through hands to release Jack Raine who glided through the mesmerised opposition for the bonus point try, converted by Alex Rock. The remaining few minutes went against the hosting Blackberry Lane team when a second yellow card depleted the numbers down to a temporary thirteen on the pitch. Stafford went into half time leading 26 – 0, but having to contend with the swirling wind in the switch around.

In a disjointed start to the second half, the referees whistle seemed to be in constant use. The game re started with thirteen versus fifteen on the pitch, but some good management ate away at the time until both Stafford players were snuck back into the fray. Luctonians then had their brightest period of the game and an assault against the club house end finished with another yellow card for the hosts who were suddenly back down to fourteen. The visitors took full advantage to batter their way to a well-earned try, for the only opposition points of the afternoon. Slight holes started to appear as the hard-working visitors started to look weary at the shift, they were having to put in. A blistering running attack from Stafford carved through the scrambling opposition and Jerry Qasenivalu was chased across the line but dotted down under the posts, converted by Henry Ralphs. A yellow card for Luctonians evened up the numbers on the field before Stafford were restored to a full compliment and had the advantage. As bodies tired some clumsy rugby led to another yellow card, reducing the opposition to thirteen and producing uncontested scrums. The Stafford forwards continued to roll over the Luctonians resistance as the backs prowled menacingly behind them. A slightly long pass was gathered by Jerry Qasenivalu and swift hands released Jack Raine for his hattrick converted by Henry Ralphs. Luctonians didn’t stop playing rugby and a bright five-minute period threatened the Stafford line. But Dan Watts snuffed out the momentum and opening his legs set out on a solo counter attack. Supporting County Town players were flying in from all over the park with punishing carries from Jerry Qasenivalu and Alex Rock eating up some more hard yards. But it was left to a hurtling Rob Jones to make the final run and crash across the line for a try, converted by Henry Ralphs. Stafford were starting to run at will against the beleaguered defence and Luctonians were dug deeply in on their own line. A couple of uncontested scrums was all the opportunity Alex Rock needed to peel away to poach the final try of the game as Stafford closed off a fruitful afternoon of rugby.

Next 1st XV Match: Saturday 11th October vs Clee Hill 1st XV, Home. K.O. 15:00.