Stafford took the short journey up the A34 for the final league game of the campaign against Trentham. The hosts were having an impressive season with 17 wins and 3 losses seeing them top of the table and within touching distance of promotion. The teams last met on the opening game of this season when the County Town team took the win by an impressive 52 points. However, it was now much later in a long series of games and with Stafford only fielding two replacements it promised to be an interesting closing match. The sun-bathed the April afternoon creating a slightly raucous atmosphere as Trentham showcased their brand-new balcony with impressive views across the pitch.

Stafford came hurtling into the encounter and a startled Trentham were soon defending deep in their own half. The game was already very physical with players having to take an extra moment to shake off some strong tackles. But it was Trentham who buckled first as a driving maul scattered the defence and Gaz O’Connor took the first try of the afternoon, converted by Henry Ralphs. In response the home side then demonstrated why they were sitting firmly on top of the league with some sublime running rugby. Some dazzling feet left scorch marks in the turf and Trentham were suddenly two tries to the good and back in control of the match. Stafford had to dig in and endure what was now being rained down on them, but for the most part they put up a rugged defence which didn’t falter. When Trentham did manage to exploit any chink in the armour, there were some immense individual efforts that plugged the hard-fought gap. Particular mention must go to Jerry Qasenivalu who drew on all his pace to cover an immense area and then put in a crunching tackle to stop a certain try. As the half dwindled towards a close, Trentham did eventually manage to cross for their third try of the afternoon, but the starting XV hadn’t come through the period unscathed. Stafford went into half time trailing 19 – 7 but having given a heroic account of themselves against the league leaders.

Now allegedly playing downhill and full of restorative sweets, Stafford burst into the second half full of energy. A Stu Lewis kick caught Trentham napping and some excellent work by Marley Thomas left the defenders rooted to the spot as the try was scored, converted by Alex Rock. In now typical fashion, the home side shrugged off the moment and resumed their own game to march back up the pitch and grab their bonus point try. Another try soon followed as the Trentham lead became quite sizeable. But then the momentum started to minorly turn and the hosts were slowly having to take some backward steps. As the retreat gathered pace, Trentham were thrown into what became an increasingly desperate defence. It took a sniping attack from Alex Rock to completely unravel the hosts and the try started to close what had been a significant deficit. The afternoon continued to descend into chaos for the hosts when in a disruptive period they incurred two yellow cards to leave a team of only thirteen on the pitch. Stafford were probing from all parts of the field and eventually broke down the previously tenacious defence. Taking the final pass Jerry Qasenivalu eluded any grasping hands to cruise across the line for a bonus point try, converted by Alex Rock. Only five points now separated the teams in a sweltering game of rugby. With numbers restored, Trentham set out on a well-practiced march up the pitch. As the teams contested possession, a turnover found its way into the hands of Colton Mclaughlin who outstripped the opposition, running the full length of the pitch for a try. Cruelly, the referees whistle had been drowned out in the noise around the pitch and the score was discounted with play being bought back to the club house end. Trentham continued to threaten but couldn’t find any way through what was a bruising Stafford defensive effort. It was a testament to the County Town team that when a penalty was eventually earned the home side elected to kick rather than pour tired bodies into another assault. As the ball sailed between the uprights it restored a ten-point lead and effectively closed off the final afternoon of rugby for the 2025/26 season. The teams tussled for another few minutes before the referees whistle signalled the end of a game where Stafford had pushed the league leaders and travelled home having put in an enormous shift.

Next 1st XV Match: Season End.