Walsall Colts 20 – Stafford Colts 24

Stafford Colts travelled to Walsall for the 1st round of the under 18's national cup for what was to prove to be a very tough game. The Stafford youngsters entered this game determined to get revenge for the heavy defeat by Walsall in last season National Cup. The game kicked off in glorious sunshine and it was not long before the Walsall game plan was revealed, utilising the big pack to pin Stafford in their own half. The Stafford pace in defence managed to keep Walsall at bay until the home side were awarded a penalty just outside the visitors 22. A kick to the corner, followed by a line out saw a catch and drive to open the Walsall scoring with an unconverted try. Stafford responded by exerting pressure of their own and gained some valuable turn over ball. Positive play saw the visitors attacking which the Walsall defence eventually releasing Nathan Ford for a blistering try, Scott Robinson snatching the lead with the conversion. With 10 minutes of the 1st half remaining the Stafford forwards were reduced to 7 men for foul play. However they continued to attack at every opportunity and it was not long before some good handling between the forwards and backs saw Gareth Smith touch down for an unconverted try. This galvanised the Walsall players and they began to press home their 1 man advantage. Scoring an unconverted try just before the half time whistle. Stafford went into half time leading 10 to 12, setting up what was to prove to be an exciting second half.

Walsall knew that an early score was crucial and pressurised the opposition defence from the kick off, forcing errors. Walsall capitalised via a scrum from which they picked up and drove over for an unconverted try to take the lead back. Stafford began to gain from their dominance in the loose and found room to penetrate behind the home side defence. Valuable ground was gained rom a quick tap penalty which caught Walsall offside. A subsequent tap penalty and fast hands through the backs, left the Walsall defenders grasping at thin air as Jordan Turner sprinted over for a well taken try Walsall 15 Stafford 17. With both sides determined to win this tie the tackiling became furocious and both sides showed a willingness to run every scrap of possession. An injury to a Walsall player stopped the game with 12 minutes remaining. After a 15 minute break the game restarted with a Stafford scrum in there own 22, this was won against the head by Walsall whose No8 a picked up and drove over for a try, Walsall 20 Stafford 17. With 5 minutes remaining Walsall were reduced to 14 men and Stafford saw their opportunity. With nothing to loose they threw everything at Walsall and aggressive tackling produced turnover ball. Stafford pounced and from a ruck in the home side 22 spun the ball wide through fast hands to John Carr who outsprinted numerous Walsall defenders to score a try in what was the last move of the game and to tie the score at 20-20. Scott Robinson showed impressive maturity with the conversion, giving the Stafford team a hard fought but well deserved victory and progression to the second round. The Colts look forward to their next league game as they are currently 2nd in the league.