STAFFORD DEVELOPMENT vs. STOKE 2ND XV. 7th February 2015.

Stafford 11 – 10 Stoke

On a cold Saturday afternoon at the Castlefields ground the improving Stafford Development team hosted the high flying merit league leaders Stoke who boasted a 100% win record and are all but assured the title. The Stafford team were coming off the back of a solid result against a young Stourbridge side the previous week, but the starting line-up were much changed.

Led by the effervescent and experienced fly half Matt Chalmers who galvanised the team with some stirring pre-match words. The players took this out onto the park and Stafford started the much the more attacking of the two teams and showing the capability within the side through fluid passing moves and impressive phase play, which threatened the Stoke defence on several occasions. The quality of both sides showed as the rapier thrust of the Stafford attack was blunted down by a well organised shield of the defence by the Stoke outfit. The deadlock was finally broken on the half hour mark as a sweeping move from side to side and an incisive break from centre Nick Allen in the middle of the park set up a forward charge, quick phase ball to the right saw a strong surge from prop Chris Gayton pulling in the fringe defence. The ensuing ruck saw the strong Will Salt batter his way over from 5 yards taking 2 defenders with him, for the first try of the afternoon. Stoke rallied and 2 minutes later saw a sharp broken field backs play following a turnover in possession, which tore open the Stafford defence and the winger sprinted home from 30 metres to finish a fine move from the league leaders to tie the scores. In the dying moments of the first half Stafford were reduced to 14 men with a yellow card, but they managed to rally and scrambled to snuff out the counter attack from Stoke. Stafford went into half time drawing 5 -5 against the league leaders.

The second period saw the more organised and well drilled confident Stoke get the upper hand in many areas against Stafford who consistently failed to win their own ball at line out time. Stoke probed the Stafford defence but failed with the final pass and good scrambled defence prevented any further score from Stoke. Stafford turned over ruck ball deep in their own half and Will Salt again set off on a marauding run beating defenders, the offload allowing the ball to move through the hands of the Stafford backs in rare incursion into the Stoke half and earning a penalty. The kick was slotted through the posts by Tim Woolman to snatch back a slender lead. A galvanised Stafford enjoyed a period of possession and again attacked with forwards and backs combining well to draw another penalty, Tim Woolman again adding the points to increase the lead. Stafford should have sealed the win and closed the game out, gaining field position but failed to win line outs in crucial areas and giving away soft penalties deep in the Stoke 22m. The time ticked away with Stafford hanging on, repelling attacks. In the dying minutes and in the last play of the game Stoke outstripped the Stafford defence to score a try wide out, they missed with the conversion and the victory went to the home side.

Stafford Development recorded a fine victory over a well drilled and organised side and proved that a Stafford side can grind out a victory and win ugly.