STOKE 2nd XV vs STAFFORD 2nd XV. 19th September 2015.

Stoke 34 – 21 Stafford

Stafford development team travelled for a match against Stoke 2nds with the promise of good old derby match. Even though this was only a friendly encounter the match was always going be tough game.

Stoke started off the better of two teams scoring a try in the corner and adding the conversion. Stafford gave away another try through some sloppy tackling for Stoke to go over again and started to build a decent lead. The second Stoke score seemed to kick Stafford start into gear and with about 15 minutes left in the half, continued pressure saw them camped in the opposition twenty two. The pressure told as Rich Whatling picked up from the back of the scrum and was bought down within inches of the line. The visitors followed up with the ruck and some quick hands sure Quade Boal score his first try for Stafford. Stafford went into half time trailing 12-7 but having had the better of the final quarter.

Stafford kept the pressure on the Stoke after the restart forcing the home side into a mistake at the back of a scrum. Showing great awareness George Morrison dropped on the loose ball, powering on to get a try by the post, James Riley adding the conversion and tying the scores. The visitors continued to cause problems for the home side, good hands between James Riley and Will Richards opening up the opposition. Matt Manion spotted the gap, chipped over the full back to slide under the post taking the lead for the first time in the game, James Riley adding the conversion. With only 20 minutes left to play Stafford start to tire with all of the squad on the pitch and no subs available it was always going to be difficult against a larger Stoke presence. The superior home side numbers told as they scored a further four tries to close the game and finish an entertaining encounter.

The development team put on a good show despite only having 15 players and with a couple out of position on another day Stafford may have taken the spoils but this wasn’t their day.