STAFFORD 2nd XV vs Newcastle (Staffs) 2nd XV. 24th SEPTEMBER 2016. FRIENDLY MATCH.

Stafford 44 – 22 Newcastle

Stafford development team welcomed Newcastle to the County Ground for a friendly match. The home side were looking to continue their run of good form and repeat the overwhelming win that they took in the pre-season friendly at Newcastle’s ground few weeks previously. Both teams took to the field with a very sparse subs bench, hoping to get through the game with the minimum of changes.

Stafford started the game the strongest and early pressure saw the visitors forced into an early defence. A valiant Newcastle response held off the County Town side, but the pressure told as Lewis Dewsbury sped across the line for an unconverted try. The Newcastle response was swift with ex Stafford player Shane Ballard crossing the line for the equalising try. A subsequent injury to Steve Rowland saw the new Director of Rugby, Dermot Hogan, entering the fray and emptying the Stafford substitute’s bench. The home found their rhythm and the visitors had to dig in to endure the sustained assault. Stafford came close on a couple of occasions, but it took a dancing Will Richards to step through the defence for a try converted by Chris Newell. Newcastle roared back in response and only a strong defence managed to hold up the ball as the visitors crossed the line. Stafford broke out of defence through a brutal Sam Harbage run which brushed through the defence and with an offload allowed Appi Apimeleki to thunder across the line for a try converted by Chris Newell. With the home side in control, Lewis Dewsbury was the next to score with his second try of the afternoon. It was left to the Stafford forwards to finish the surge as Angus Lennon rumbled across the line for the final try of the half. Stafford went into half time leading by 29 -5 and looking in control of the game.

With the half time team talk ringing in their ears, Newcastle flew into the second half and forced their way back into the game with an early try to narrow the margin. The Stafford response was typically bruising with a period of play which battered the opposition back across their own line, the referee signalling the try as the hands of Tom Larkin stubbornly held onto the ball. Newcastle wouldn’t lie down and clawed their way back into the match with a converted try. They couldn’t respond to a mighty run by Sam Harbage who smashed through the defence for a Stafford try to cancel out all of the hard work. A fourth Newcastle try should have had an impact on the scoreline, but when Lewis Dewsbury took his third try of the afternoon any hope that the visitors had were extinguished and the home side eventually took a comprehensive win.