Handsworth 25 – 12 Stafford

Stafford travelled to Handsworth for their first league encounter of 2015. The playing conditions were difficult following the downpours which had crossed the midlands during the earlier part of the day. Handsworth opened the scoring with a try after snatching a loose ball from the visitors. Stafford stuck to their game plan and some determined forwards play lead to Handsworth being reduced to 14 men courtesy of a yellow card. The visitors maintained the pressure and the home side couldn’t prevent Ernie Nevin crashing across the line to tie the scores, James Brown adding the conversion for the lead. Handsworth struck back with another try to steal back a precarious lead. A battling Stafford wouldn’t lie down and a good period of pressure allowed Matty Lake to cross the line for the visitors second try of the afternoon. Stafford went into half time leading 10 – 12 and having played some good periods of rugby.

The second half started evenly with both teams creating chances to score. However the home side team talk appeared to be more effective as three successive tries established what proved to be an unassailable lead. Stafford fought their way back into the game and came close on several occasions, but they couldn’t quite find the finishing move to score the points.