STAFFORD 2nd XV vs TAMWORTH 2nd XV. 7th November 2015.

Stafford 17 – 12 Tamworth

Stafford development team welcomed Tamworth to the County Ground for the fifth league match of the season. The two teams currently headed up the league table and the victor would end up grabbing the number spot.

Stafford started the game strongly and put all of the initial pressure on the visitors. Tamworth absorbed the pressure and snatched a turnover ball to cross the line for the first try of the match. The home side resumed the game playing the better rugby and maintaining the pressure on a besieged Tamworth XV. The visitors maintained a solid defence but three penalties, kicked by the trusty boot of Cal Jones, saw Stafford establish a solid lead. Stafford went into half time leading 9 – 5 and having played the majority of the rugby.

The second half saw Tamworth fighting their way back into the game and getting their reward just before the end of third quarter, a converted try putting them back into the lead. Stafford wouldn’t lie down and with 5 minutes left on the clock went through a well worked set of phases to release Ross Newell, from the back of a ruck, for a try to secure the lead. Tamworth fought hard to get back into the game, a series of quick penalties threatening the narrow lead. A penalty in last minute sealed the victory for the home side as Cal Jones stepped up to strike the ball through the posts. The full time whistle saw a victorious Stafford maintain their undefeated run and go top of the table.