Stafford Colts made the short journey down the M6 to play Walsall in the semi-final of the Staffordshire colt’s cup on Wednesday 12th April. Although there was a brief rain shower the pitch was bone dry making a hard playing surface for the teams. As Stafford came onto the pitch they were greeted by a huge cheer from their travelling group of supporters.

Walsall kicked off on a floodlit pitch and showed their intent to compete for every ball from the start. Stafford soaked up the early pressure and started to work their way into the encounter turning defence into dominance with penetrating runs from both the forwards and backs. The attacking Stafford play earned two successive penalties which Lewis Cantrill converted to give the visitors a narrow lead. Stafford were causing the home side lots of problems and a scything run by Angus Hamplett carried the ball to within sight of the Walsall line with a final pass allowing Ollie Greensill to cross the line, but the referees whistle signalled a forward pass. The hard pitch took its toll on Stafford as Gregor Lennon had to leave the pitch following a fierce tackle by an opposition player. Stafford continued have the better of the play and several times players were held up short of the line or the final pass did not go to hand. Stafford went into half time with a narrow 0 – 6 lead, but having dominated play without collecting the points.

The second half started with a rejuvenated Walsall competing fiercely at the breakdown which resulted in several penalties and turnovers. Stafford gradually came back into the game earning another penalty, which Lewis Cantrill pushed between the posts to stretch the lead. Walsall continued to fight fiercely and earned their reward through a converted try which cut the lead to two points. Stafford responded with an excellent period of attacking rugby which released Will Turner to crash across the line for an unconverted try and stretch the lead back to seven points. A converted Walsall try drew the scores level and the visitors were further disrupted as Callum Jones left the pitch with a shoulder injury. With ten minutes left on the clock, Stafford were fighting hard to regain the lead when an intercepted pass released Walsall to score an unconverted try and take the lead for the first time in the match. Stafford weren’t finished and from the kick off ran the ball deep into the Walsall half. Lewis Hurst made a break for the line giving a deep pass to Angus Hamplett who raced under the posts to tie the scores, Lewis Cantrill kicking the conversion for the lead. With a few minutes remaining Walsall piled the pressure on earning a penalty within sight of the visitor’s posts. The kick was the final play of the game and the ball appeared to be spiralling right between the posts but at the last moment it cruelly drifted hitting the upright. Stafford collected the rebound and kicked the ball into touch to end a tense game.

Stafford will now look forward to the final at Lichfield against Burton on Saturday the 29TH April.