STAFFORD A XV vs TELFORD 2ND XV. 16TH APRIL 2022. LEAGUE.

Stafford A XV welcomed Telford 2nd XV for an easter weekend of rugby at Blackberry Lane. The hornets are having a strong season sitting solidly at the top of the pile in the Staffordshire Merit Leagues Division Two. Stafford A XV were constructed of a mixture of youth and returning players, interspersed with a number of more seasoned campaigners.

Telford piled the pressure on from the opening whistle and Stafford were soon in a rolling defence along their own line. The visiting scrum worked hard to produce a couple of penalties, but Stafford held out. Eventually the pressure was relieved as a soaring kick spiralled down field. With a period of possession, the county town team ran hard at their opposite numbers. The visitors tackled relentlessly but were eventually prised open as Louis Dewsbury crossed for a try, converted by Connor McCulloch. Feeding off the momentum, Stafford thew themselves back into the fray. Will Turner burst through and with only a man to beat, off loaded to Louis Dewsbury for the second try of the afternoon, converted by Connor McCulloch. The visitors didn’t stay silent for long and had soon wrestled their way back into the match. All of the Telford hard work paid dividends when they breached the Stafford defence, but the try was denied as the referee’s whistle called play back for a forward pass. On the stroke of half time the Salopians flew at the Blackberry Lane line and with at least a player overlap looked certain to score but the ball couldn’t find its way through the hands. Stafford went into half time leading 14-0 but having to defend strongly against an always competitive Telford.

Stafford came into the second half attacking towards a raucous and celebratory club house end. Alex Rock led the early charge as the poaching nine eluded the attention of several players to carry deep into the Telford half. The forwards swarmed through the holes to threaten the line. The visitors put up a good response and some meaty defending smashed back anything being thrown against it. A heroic charge by Ben Dodd eventually broke through and Alfie O'Brien collected the pass for the try, converted by Connor McCulloch. An injury to a Telford player moved the game to uncontested scrums and this sparked the visitor’s afternoon back to life. A darting run took Stafford by surprise and unopposed Telford took their first try of the afternoon. The home side were now under pressure and the Shropshire XV took full advantage. The final ten minutes saw the visitors bombarding the opposition line trying to find a way across. Stafford would not concede and despite a number of close calls, managed the game through to the final whistle.