STAFFORD DEVELOPMENT XV vs NEWCASTLE 2ND XV. 16TH SEPTEMBER 2017. FRIENDLY MATCH.

Stafford 40 – 14 Newcastle

Stafford welcomed Newcastle to the County Ground for the second September game of the season. With excellent playing conditions, Stafford's development team were looking to continue their dominant start to the season. The game started with a minute’s silence in memory of long time club member John Perry who passed away earlier in the week.

The Stafford forwards showed their mobility and strength from the opening whistle, muscling their way up the pitch to set a solid platform outside of the Newcastle line. The ball shipped out to a hurtling Sam Harbage who burst through the defence for the first try of the afternoon, converted by Oscar Saunders. Matt Smith started to harass the opposition from all sections of the field, several forays causing the defence to quickly reorganise. Newcastle repelled everything thrown at them but couldn’t keep stop Oscar Saunders grabbing the second try which he then converted. Ollie Greensill should have added a third when his pace took him past the opposition and only some experienced play bought him down illegally for a penalty. The resulting line out saw the forwards swarming towards the line and Sam Harbage timed his run to crash across the line for the third try of the afternoon. Newcastle hit back with a converted try to put the first points on the board for the visitors. Stafford closed the half through Matt Smith who had been threatening all afternoon, stepping and accelerating through a broke field for the final try of the half converted by Jack Harvey. Stafford went into half time with a comfortable 26 – 7 lead but having to guard against a Newcastle response.

Stafford couldn’t escape their own half for the opening segment of the second part of the match. The referees whistle in constant use saw a succession of penalties pinning the County Town side deep in defence. Newcastle took full advantage with a well worked converted try to cut the deficit. The game evolved into a slight stalemate as both teams wrestled to gain the upper hand. With the match sliding into the final quarter a scintillating break by Rhys Williams tore through the defence to release a supporting Oscar Saunders for a try which he then converted. With the home side, back in the ascendency the visitors put up a dogged defence, but with the clock ticking down Stafford pressure was relentless. Some fancy footwork from Will Turner pushed the ball across the line for an ever-alert Danny Duggan to pounce on for the final try of the game, converted by Oscar Saunders.