Stafford welcomed Willenhall to Blackberry Lane for the penultimate home game of the season. The visitors had maintained a consistently impressive top two position in the league, but losses in their last two games had shown a slight chin in their armour. Stafford were still licking their wounds from the last-minute loss to Bridgnorth 2nd XV the previous week but determined to continue playing well coached rugby. In the reciprocal encounter way back in early December, the County Town team had to endure a 41-point mauling at the hands of the visitors. With a cruel wind whipping across the ground, the weather promised to play a hand in dictating the afternoons rugby.

Playing into the wind, the early going was a tough ask for anyone. With passes being swept into an erratic lottery the opening phases were complex for both sides. Stafford settled the quickest and with some short sharp moves started to put some dents into the opposition defensive line. Willenhall very rarely back down, so the Blackberry Lane XV were having to work hard but eventually the hole appeared and Olly Croft cruised across for a try. Despite the advantage of the wind, it was debatable whether the restart managed to claw its way 10 metres. But the referees whistle didn’t sound and an alert Willenhall scooped up the lazy ball and tore through a standing Stafford for a try. The response was immediate as the visitors had their own issues dealing with the restart and the ball was back in home side hands. Inertia rooted the opposition as Stu Lewis outpaced and stepped everyone for a spectacular try to retake the lead. The game settled into a slight stalemate as Stafford tried to cope with the wind and Willenhall couldn’t find a groove to bring the pain which normally spearheaded their game plan. The ever-alert visitors remained opportunistic, a slightly long pass proved to be a gift for an interception and Willenhall tore away for a try. A subsequent penalty could have stretched the opposition lead, but the kick wouldn’t find its way through the uprights. Stafford then had to endure a torrid period as a series of penalties kept them lodged deep in their own half having to put in a tiring defensive shift. Willenhall couldn’t find a way through and eventually Jack Raine got his hands on the ball to tear down the pitch but was dragged down short of the try line. A previously beleaguered Stafford swarmed over the ball and the visitors struggled to form a coherent defence. The ball exchanged hands and Joben Corcoran battered his way across for a try. Stafford went into half time ahead by 15 -14 and looking forward to the assistance of the elements from the restart.

Typically, the wind slightly dropped for the restart and a short-lived sun bathed the ground. Now not having to compete with the wind, Stafford fired up the engine from the first kick. Willenhall found themselves lodged between an advancing XV and a raucous clubhouse whilst trying to halt the momentum. Eventually the County Town forwards broke through and a final pass was carried over by Dave Austen for the bonus point try, converted by Henry Ralphs. The restart didn’t bring much relief and the visitors were having to hunker down as the rugby rained down around them. Eventually a strong carry from Dan Watts took out all of the defenders for a brutal try. A clumsy tackle from Willenhall added to the afternoons woes when they were temporarily reduced to fourteen for a yellow card. As the game restarted a monstrous kick went over the heads of all the visiting players and the chase was on. With Stafford in pursuit, tired Willenhall legs could only get a couple of bodies back. Hands failed to secure the ball and Colton Mclaughlin swept it up to finish an outrageous try, converted by Henry Ralphs. The visitors then had a good period of play which ended with a third hard fought try. Stafford soon punctured any momentum and bought the resurgence to a crashing halt when Jack Martin intercepted a pass to tear away for his debut 1st XV try, converted by Henry Ralphs. With the game very much beyond them a battling Willenhall continued looking for a fourth try to at least take home a point. The Blackberry Lane defence was enormous and contested everything until eventually a tiring five minutes turned the ball over. Defence became attack and Stafford marched their way back towards the club house. The visitors kept resetting the line but inch by inch were being forced reluctantly backwards. Stuck on their own try line the tenacious opposition held out for a few minutes before Ben Dodd bullied his way across for a try, converted by Henry Ralphs. Willenhall re-entered the fray finding some energy from virtually empty tanks. With the clock spiralling towards the final minutes the visitors clawed their way into the Stafford half. Some tired tackling left open a few gaps and Willenhall took a weary advantage to secure the final try of the match and a well-earned bonus point.

Next 1st XV Match: Saturday 11th April vs Newcastle 2nd XV, Away. K.O. 15.00