STAFFORD DEVELOPMENT vs. BLOXWICH XV. 29th November 2014.

Bloxwich 29 – 15 Stafford

Stafford 2’s travelled to Bloxwich last Saturday for a friendly fixture. With no 1st team match, it gave the Selectors an ideal chance to assess the Club’s emerging talent in what turned out to be a tough game against more experienced and physical opponents.

Stafford got off to a slow start and conceded 3 tries within the first 30 minutes, 2 of which were well executed catch-and-drives from line-outs that are becoming increasingly hard to defend against at all levels. For the last 10 minutes of the first half, skipper Gaz Phillips, ably supported by his fellow forwards, at last got hold of some possession and took the game to Bloxwich and pinned them in their own 22 metre area for long periods. Unfortunately all of the Stafford effort wasn’t rewarded with any points.

This all changed from the start of the 2nd half as Stafford scored 3 quick tries through Gaz Phillips, George Morrison and Ronnie Hindle. Sadly, Stafford, with only a squad of 16 for the day, could not keep the momentum up and despite some dazzling runs by Rhys Williams, Mike Davies, Ronnie Hindle and Callum Heath, the team just failed to get the final try-scoring pass in to a supporting player.

All in all, a heartening performance, especially by the younger players coming through to senior rugby, who all stood up manfully against a very determined and strong Bloxwich side.