Stafford visited Old Salts last Saturday, looking to get 2012 back on track after the surprise loss the week before.  Despite enforced changes in the Stafford backline, the whole match-day squad produced a performance that certainly surprised their 2nd-in-the-league hosts.
Stafford started the game solidly and both Mark Broomhall and debutant Sam Barnett gave the Stafford forwards some good field positions with some astute positional kicking.  So it was somewhat against the run of play when Salts scored a converted try from a Stafford error at the breakdown which allowed their No 8 to support a counter attack and score.  Stafford came straight back into the fray but just couldn’t find the cohesion to breach the hosts defence. Salts, after another Stafford error, got themselves into Stafford’s territory when their full-back weaved his way through Stafford’s defence and following a tackle, Salts were awarded a penalty which they duly converted.  Stafford re-grouped and pummelled the Salts defence and were eventually rewarded when Barnett converted a penalty chance.  Stafford kept up the pressure and were again rewarded with a Barnett penalty after Salts had been penalised at the breakdown.
Both teams were producing an entertaining game and only a superb try-saving tackle by Rich Walklate prevented Salts from adding to their score.  Salts did eventually score another try form a well worked move from a line-out. Stafford brought on some new faces to freshen things up and everyone rose to the challenge to get another score. The forwards, with Whatling, Rowley and Carl Williams having especially good games, continuously provided a stream of possession for Broomhall to work with and Stafford were rewarded near the end with a classic winger’s try by the outstanding Rich Walklate who scored a fine solo try.
This was a huge improvement from the previous week and proved to everyone what Stafford are capable of.  Stafford need to take this intensity into next weeks’ match at home to Shrewsbury – and then onwards.