STAFFORD 2nd XV vs NEWPORT (SALOP) 2nd XV. 17th October 2015.

Stafford 36 – 12 Newport

Stafford development team welcomed Newport to the Cathedral for a friendly match on world cup quarter final weekend. Newport travelled three players short, a strong Stafford bench were happy to lend bodies to make it fifteen a side.

Stafford put the pressure on from the opening whistle and a penalty could have opened the scoring, but it fell agonisingly short of the posts. Newport absorbed the pressure and showed their pedigree as they struck to score the first try of the afternoon, Tom Riley crossing the line in unfamiliar colours. The home side worked their way back up the pitch from the restart and a Chris Newell penalty cut the deficit drawing the scores closer together. The teams continued to trade blows, with Stafford exerting all of the pressure but a dogged Newport defence threatening to seize on any mistake and a second missed penalty for the home side squandered the opportunity. The deadlock started to creak when Colin Averis soared high to charge down a Newport kick and then demonstrated all of his experience by climbing above every player to secure the lineout. With Dave Wareham and Rhys Williams terrorising the centre, Dave Freeman threatened down the wing. Stafford built on this momentum with the referee awarding a series of penalties which culminated in a penalty try, Chris Newell adding the conversion. Stafford went into half time leading 10 – 7 against a very tenacious Newport performance.

With a large bench to choose from, Stafford made a number of changes to start the second half. A series of well-rehearsed moves proved effective in disrupting the defence and Chris Newell was unlucky not to go over in the corner. Dave Austen was the next to threaten the line, a loose ball hacked forward just eluded his pacey chase, but enthusiastic supporting play led to Stafford being reduced to 14 on the pitch courtesy of a yellow card. The forwards were really making their presence felt at this stage and with the line in sight a charging attack carried Rich Whatling over the line for the second try of the afternoon. As Newport continued to endure, the backs started to find space, an elusive run by Rhys Williams produced a good offload and the sticky hands of Dave Wareham snatched the ball out of the air for the third try, Sam Bedworth adding the conversion. The next try came from Rhys Williams, showing all of his skill with a step which sent the defenders the wrong way to expose the line, Sam Bedworth adding the conversion. Newport continued to battle and all of their effort was rewarded with a consolation try towards the end of the game. The final points of the afternoon came via a quick Stafford penalty and no amount of defenders were going to stop a marauding Gaz Phillips from crashing across the line for a try, Sam Bedworth closing the game with the conversion.