STAFFORD 1ST XV vs CREWE & NANTWICH 1ST XV. 2ND APRIL 2022. LEAGUE.

Stafford opened their April session hosting the penultimate home match of the campaign. They faced visitors who travelled on the back of a strong fourth placed league position which has been bolstered by an unbeaten run stretching back to the end of January. Stafford came into the match looking for some form, still fielding an evolving starting 1st XV as injury and unavailability still took its toll on a long season.

A fast Crewe & Nantwich start piled on very early pressure as attacking play ate up the territorial advantage. A foot in touch denied the visitors a try but a subsequent penalty put the first points of the game on the board. The restart didn’t provide any respite and Stafford were engaged in a ferocious defence on their own line. Fantastic defence held up a particularly brutal surge but persistent sniping eventually prised an opening and Crewe & Nantwich eventually took a try. Stafford continued to work hard for each other and the visitors’ efforts to contain them were soon penalised through a yellow card temporarily reducing them to fourteen on the pitch. A Connor McCulloch penalty spiralling through the posts cut the deficit to a single score. With the momentum shifting, the county town team battered the reduced opposition into a defiant defence. Crewe & Nantwich contended strongly but were eventually stretched and Alex Rock spotted the gap for an unopposed try to level the scores. The visitors weathered the storm until they regained a full complement back on the pitch. With XV players available Crewe & Nantwich took two more tries to open up a decent lead and close off the period. Stafford went into half time trailing by 8-20 but having played some good attacking rugby.

The second half opened with a Crewe & Nantwich try to secure the bonus point and stretch the lead. Injuries saw Stafford having to empty the bench and shuffle some playing positions to cover the gaps. With the game raging around Blackberry Lane, the pitch opened up in front of the visitors and only a heroic chase and tackle by Dan Mills stopped a certain try. Stafford fought valiantly but minor errors were punished as they resisted the constant pressure. The hard-working Crewe & Nantwich ran in three more tries to take their tally beyond forty points. Stafford wouldn’t lie down though and a period of hard-hitting attacks smashed their opponents into a defensive submission. The visitors had to fly off the line to smother the Stafford momentum as the brave home side XV carried hard looking for a score. A five-minute period had Stafford launching tiring drives to be met by an equally exhausting defensive effort. The stalemate was eventually broken by Alex Rock who found the smallest of spaces to put the ball down over the line for a consolation try, converted by Connor McCulloch. A final try by Crewe & Nantwich closed off another long afternoon of rugby for the county town team.

Next 1st XV Match; Saturday 9th April Away vs Leek; 3pm kick off.