Stafford 17 – 0 Stoke

Stafford Colts took on rivals Stoke Colts in the 1st round of the Staffordshire Colts Cup on Sunday and with Stoke Colts unbeaten this season this was going to be a tough game for the Stafford youngsters.

From the kick off the Stafford team showed their intent to play the game in the Stoke half of the field pinning them in their own 22 and forcing Stoke to take a defensive line out. The Stafford team won the lineout and quickly set up a driving maul marshalled by captain Dan Morrison they drove the Stoke forwards back over their own try line for Gregor Lennon to touch down for an unconverted try 5-0 Stafford. The Stoke team began to pick up the pace trying to use their fast backs but the Stafford defence held firm forcing mistakes from which they were able to counter attack, the remainder of the 1st half was a stalemate with some great attacks and ferocious defence from both teams. Stafford went into half time leading 5-0.

The 2nd half saw Stoke start the stronger team and they pounded the Stafford try line for some 25 minutes however the defensive line speed and superb tackling of the Stafford Colts force them back time and again. The continued pressure soon brought a mistake from the Stafford forwards and a yellow card for an infringement gave Stoke an extra man for 10 minutes. This seemed to galvanise the Stafford team and they won the ball from the penalty running it out of their 22 to kick down field, the resulting chase saw Stoke defending their own line only to give away a penalty which Stafford took quickly for Prop Forward Ben Chatfield to drive over for their second try which was converted by Josh Arnold. With 10 minutes remaining Stafford immediately attacked from the restart with Mitch Averis making a jinking run into the Stoke half, from the resulting ruck the Stafford forwards began to pressure the Stoke try line only to be stopped short each time, however it was not long before the pressure began to tell and the ball soon found Ben Chatfield at full pace who was never going to be stopped from 5 metres out, another try for Stafford. Final Score Stafford Colts 17 Stoke Colts 0