Stafford A XV travelled to the Black Country for the latest league game against Essington. The teams were having very similar seasons with 6 wins each but the hosts sitting just one place higher in the table. The Blackberry Lane XV fielded a good mixture of youth and experience but a team which had plenty of running in their legs.

The opening phases of the game were tightly contested with possession rapidly changing as the teams settled onto the pitch. The Stafford set piece started to provide a good platform from which to launch attacking phases. With the wind in their sails the visiting XV marched up the pitch until some over zealous defending gifted them a close-range penalty. The opportunity was scooped up into the waiting hands of Gregor Lennon who shrugged off the opposition for the opening try of the afternoon, converted by Henry Ralphs. A couple of injuries could have disrupted the momentum but the County Town team were moving forward at pace. The kicking game was proving equally successful and a huge boot released Marley Thomas who crashed through everything before being hauled down short of the white wash by some determined defence. The home side slowly managed to turn the tide and some simple rugby ended in a try to haul the score back to within two points. From the restart Essington were back in control and spent a long five minutes trying to get through the Stafford defence but everything was forcibly repelled until the ball went loose. Seizing on the broken play, Stafford stretched their legs as Essington scrambled backwards. Slick passing tore up the territory and Marley Thomas crossed for an excellent try, converted by Henry Ralphs. Stafford went into half time leading 5 – 14 with both teams very evenly matched.

The second half opened with some Essington attacking play which ended in a penalty. The home side pushed the ball between the uprights to narrow the slender lead. Stafford tried to respond but it was all Essington and some soft tackling allowed the hosts to cross for a try and take a single point lead. This spurred the County Town team back into some form of life and some brutal rugby put them within sight of the opposition line. This time it was left to Angus Lennon to crash through the defenders for a try, converted by Henry Ralphs. A well-placed restart was chased down and the speed of the Stafford line caused chaos in the Essington defence. Re securing the ball, the Blackberry Lane side tore open large holes and Henry Ralphs flew across the line for the bonus point try. In a see-saw game it was Essington who now found the energy to make the hard yards and a tiring try hauled it back to a six-point game. Stafford then slightly dropped off the pace and lost a slight bit of concentration. In a productive period three Essington penalties flew through the posts from various angles to re-establish a very slender lead for the tenacious home side. With around ten minutes left on the clock, the Stafford bench were barking out orders to some tired legs. The visitors found the energy required and a hard press pushed Essington back deeply into their own half. A penalty gave the County Town team the opportunity to hone in on the elusive whitewash. Essington threw back a couple of forays, but couldn’t stop Stu Lewis from crashing across for try, converted by Charles for the lead. Both sides now looked out on their feet and the game stuttered along as minor injuries disrupted play. As the clock raced towards the red, Stafford mounted one last surge. Essington couldn’t respond and Colton Mclaughlin tore across the line for a final try, converted by Charles.

Next A XV Match: Saturday 14th February vs Linley XV, Away. K.O. 14:15.