BackSat 31 Mar 2012 · Midlands 2 West (North)
1st XVAston Old Edwardians
Tries: V Hogan, R Whatling
10
22
Match report – Stafford 1st XV v Aston Old Edwardians Sat 31st March 2012.
Adam Harper3 Apr 2012 - 10:42
Stafford 10 – Aston Old Edwardians 22 STAFFORD SUFFER FRUSTRATING LOSS TO OLD EDS
Stafford welcomed Aston Old Eds last Saturday whilst also celebrating the bi-annual Old Players re-union which was excellently supported as always.
In near perfect weather for open rugby, Stafford started the game positively and certainly had the better field positions from which to launch their attacking moves. But it was the visitors who opened the scoring against the run of play after Stafford fumbled a line-out. AOE launched an excellent counter attack with plenty of supporting players to score a converted try. Stafford continued to have more of the ball but couldn’t break down a very effective AOE defence. The visitors lost a player to the sin-bin for a minor indiscretion and Stafford eventually took advantage of their extra player after Tom Williams stole an AOE line-out. The ball was moved quickly to Daz Mottershead who executed a fine grubber kick behind the AOE defence. Winger Vinny Hogan followed up, stole the ball from the AOE defender to touch the ball down for a deserved try. This really lifted Stafford and they immediately launched another flowing attack which was only halted when Rhys Williams was tackled into touch short of the try line. With half-time looming, Stafford made an unforced error near their own line from which AOE took full advantage to score their 2nd try to lead 12 – 5 at the break.
Stafford went straight at their opponents from the re-start and AOE lost a 2nd player to the sin-bin for persistent offences at the breakdown. Stafford then brought on the experienced Dan Duggan to try and exploit any space in the AOE back-line but their defence half firm. Indeed, AOE scored a 3rd try following another unforced error by Stafford. The rest of the game was played out for the most part in AOE’s half but despite a well executed line-out and catch-and-drive which Rich Whatling converted for a try, Stafford could just not create that line-break needed to breach the visitors’ defence.
Despite enjoying the majority of the ball and field position throughout the game, Stafford’s frailties in attack were sadly exposed. With 2 tough league games to go, Stafford will have to summon all of its resources and energy to finish the season in a healthy and safe position.
In near perfect weather for open rugby, Stafford started the game positively and certainly had the better field positions from which to launch their attacking moves. But it was the visitors who opened the scoring against the run of play after Stafford fumbled a line-out. AOE launched an excellent counter attack with plenty of supporting players to score a converted try. Stafford continued to have more of the ball but couldn’t break down a very effective AOE defence. The visitors lost a player to the sin-bin for a minor indiscretion and Stafford eventually took advantage of their extra player after Tom Williams stole an AOE line-out. The ball was moved quickly to Daz Mottershead who executed a fine grubber kick behind the AOE defence. Winger Vinny Hogan followed up, stole the ball from the AOE defender to touch the ball down for a deserved try. This really lifted Stafford and they immediately launched another flowing attack which was only halted when Rhys Williams was tackled into touch short of the try line. With half-time looming, Stafford made an unforced error near their own line from which AOE took full advantage to score their 2nd try to lead 12 – 5 at the break.
Stafford went straight at their opponents from the re-start and AOE lost a 2nd player to the sin-bin for persistent offences at the breakdown. Stafford then brought on the experienced Dan Duggan to try and exploit any space in the AOE back-line but their defence half firm. Indeed, AOE scored a 3rd try following another unforced error by Stafford. The rest of the game was played out for the most part in AOE’s half but despite a well executed line-out and catch-and-drive which Rich Whatling converted for a try, Stafford could just not create that line-break needed to breach the visitors’ defence.
Despite enjoying the majority of the ball and field position throughout the game, Stafford’s frailties in attack were sadly exposed. With 2 tough league games to go, Stafford will have to summon all of its resources and energy to finish the season in a healthy and safe position.
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