Stafford V Newcatle

Stafford seconds continued their current success in the merit league with a ten try victory over rivals Newcastle. The previous fixture had resulted in a 8-5 victory for the Stafford side, yet this was a chance to prove the differences between the two sides.
The conditions were not the best for open flowing rugby, yet Stafford were able to use the ball to some good effect in first quarter. Both forwards and backs combined to move up the pitch and hammer the Newcastle defence. The strong Stafford pack were able to push over a reset scrum which saw number 8 Richard Whatling score his first of three for the afternoon after 10 minutes.
Stafford again found themselves in a scoring position and Whatling finished under the posts. Tim Woolman converting for the extra points. Scrum half Mark Broomhall, Who was returning to the side showed no mercy after 24 minutes after nipping inside his opposite number to increase the home sides lead and Tim Woolman again stepped up to secure the conversion. 
As the half hour mark past Stafford were in the driving seat, Matt Chalmers and Dan Mills were linking up well and creating options in attack. Gaz O Connor finished off another Stafford attack when he crossed the line on the half hour despite a desperate period of defence from the Newcastle squad. Woolman once again on hand to slot home his conversion.
Newcastle hit back at Stafford from the restart. Some missed tackle and some lapse in defensive lines allowed them to cross the line to get some points on the board. This appeared to drive the home side on as within minutes they were in the opposition 22 and the movement of the ball between the hands of the backs set up full back Pete Shipp to slide in.
Half time score Stafford 31 – Newcastle 5
Stafford started the second half keeping the ball alive in contact and spreading in out wide. This pulled the Newcastle defence apart. Pete Reynolds collected from Broomhall at the back of a ruck to smash through. Up stepped Woolman to add the conversion.
Matt Chalmers began to show his opposite number a master class in the dummy pass and side step as twice in the space of  6 minutes he cut inside his man a ran through to score, leaving the opposition  watching and wondering.
Dave Wain crossed the line, following a series of successful passages of plays, which Stafford showed off some great handling skills. This allowed George Morrison to make his mark I the afternoon score sheet, keeping his composure to kick through from the left side.
Richard Whatling completed his hat trick for the afternoon in typical style. After the ball held up by the Newcastle defence, the resulting Stafford scrum drove over from 5 metres out and the Number 8 finished off the forward packs hard work.
Newcastle broke away in the dying minutes but by then the match was all but over. The final score for the afternoon ended Stafford 62 Newcastle 17.
The Stafford side introduce yet another colt to senior rugby this weekend with Jordan Turner in action, He showed some great promise and skill on the wing, Testimony to the development work within the junior Stafford ranks.
Special thanks to mark bissett for refereeing the game in our hour of need.