STAFFORD 1ST XV vs UTTOXETER 1ST XV. 12TH MARCH 2022. LEAGUE.

The first home game of March saw a Stafford side which continues to be plagued by injury and unavailability. They faced a newly promoted Uttoxeter who had scrapped their way to a hard fought four wins and a tenth-place league position. Stafford were looking to bounce back from two concurrent barren weekends which had yielded only a single point for the county town team. The county town team were accompanied onto the field by Stafford’s under 6&7’s team.

The opening periods of the game saw chances for both sides which weren’t converted into points. A Uttoxeter penalty couldn’t find its way through the uprights and although the visitors did cross the line, the referee deemed it held up. Stafford also went over the but the referees whistle called play back for an earlier knock on. It was Uttoxeter who took first blood with a well worked try to take the lead. Stafford hit back immediately with some bruising charges which pinned the visitors on their own line. Uttoxeter held out against waves of attacks until a blistering surge by Alex Rock claimed a try, the conversion by Christian Stelian tying the scores. With thirty minutes gone on the clock the scores were level. Feeding off the momentum the home side ramped up the pressure on the visiting XV. A scything run by Quade Boal scattered the defence and a supporting Stu Lewis collected the ball to set up a solid platform deep in the heart of the opposition. The ball spiralled through the hands with Sam Chatfield taking the final pass, crashing across the line to claim the lead. Uttoxeter didn’t stop working and could have added to their tally with a penalty, but the accuracy eluded the kicker. Stafford went into half time leading 12-7, but having to work hard against a hard-working Uttoxeter XV.

Stafford flew into the second half forcing Uttoxeter into a deep defence. The visitors responded ferociously but couldn’t prevent an elusive Christian Stelian from taking a try, which he then converted. As the game progressed, Uttoxeter were finding it difficult to contain the Stafford spirit, having to scrap for every moment of possession. The visitors started to creak and grudgingly conceded territory. With the line in sight a number of attacks were forcibly squashed and the defence held strong. When the ball was shipped through the hands, a prowling Harvey Hughes collected, carrying the final yards to claim his debut 1st XV try and the bonus point, the conversion by Christian Stelian stretching the lead. Uttoxeter showed some great heart and battled their way around the pitch to earn their second try of the game and put some more points on the board. Knocks to Quade Boal and Sam Langley saw the Stafford bench in full use and positions being shuffled to accommodate changes. A subsequent yellow card added to the chaos as the county town side were reduced to a temporary fourteen. But with the home side momentum in full swing against a tiring Uttoxeter, the visitors couldn’t make the extra numbers tell. Stafford continued to manage the territory well and kept Uttoxeter on the back foot. The visitors put up a stout response before a big carry from Phil Kay eventually punctured the defence. AS sprightly Sam Chatfield flew through for his second try of the afternoon converted by Christian Stelian. Further knocks and injuries led to Tom Williams resuming his afternoon and heading towards a far wing to provide cover. With the game meandering towards the final whistle both teams took a breath in anticipation of the end. Stafford weren’t finished though and found the legs for one final surge. Punishing runs against their opposite numbers created some meaty clashes and stretched the defence once more. Sam Chatfield took control of the ball and nobody was preventing the Stafford hooker from completing his hattrick with the final try of the match.

Next 1st XV Match; Saturday 26th March Away vs Camp Hill; 3pm kick off.