Stafford 2/3 XV Vs Eccleshall 2nds 30.03.13

Last weekend saw a young Stafford side made up players from both teams entertain Eccleshall at home. With the Easter period upon us, several players were unavailable which allowed for many players to play different positions than normal.
Stafford, who were skippered for the day by Jon (Squeaky) Hodgkins, took full advantage during the first period taking the play to the opposition, The Stafford forwards used the scrum to its full advantage and won several balls against the head to work up field. No 8 Ronnie Hindle powered through to open the scoring, and again soon after resulting in a 14 point lead, the third try of the half came from centre Tom Hart after some neat work from the back line. Stafford found themselves 21 – 0 up at the interval.
The second half started with a fine display of rugby, Dan Vasiak collected the restart and drove forward, as the pack recycled the ball it was Michael Davis who slipped through and ran in from some 30 metres. Stafford continued to attack and two more try’s followed in quick succession again by Hart and winger Oli Payne.
Eccleshall were forced to make changes within the front row, which led to uncontested scrums, this had an impact upon the Stafford game, yet they still found the determination to drive the Eccleshall players back in the tackle. Scrum half for the day Phil Dewick was next on the score sheet after, again neat link up play between forwards and backs resulted in a gap in the defence.
Hart was able to complete his hat trick of tries for the afternoon when he crossed the line having broken through the oppositions defence once more the powerful centre used all his strength and speed to chase clear and over yet again. Eccleshall attempt to gather something from the afternoon late on yet an excellent display of committed tackling and discipline show through as the home side kept them at bay to help to cement the afternoons result of a 48 – 0 victory.