Stafford Colts made the journey to Keele University to face a Loughborough team who were on a short pre-season tour. The Stafford XV fielded seven under 17 players making their senior debut and for a team on their first outing together it was going to be a testing opening match.

Stafford started strongly and exerted some early pressure. They got their reward when Tom Taylor drove forward from a 5-metre scrum, breaking through the defence to grab the first try of the afternoon, converted by Lewis Cantrill. Loughborough responded with a try of their own, but with a missed conversion couldn’t draw the scores level. A late penalty saw the boot of Lewis Cantrill adding to the lead. Stafford went into half time leading by 5 – 10 but having to fight hard against some stiff opposition.

Stafford came flying into the second half Gregor Lennon, supported by Chris Southall, crashing across the line for a try, converted by Lewis Cantrill. Loughborough had their brightest period of the game and two well worked tries with one conversion bought the scores level. Stafford hit back with Eben Lehman, Gregor Lennon and Lewis Cantrill combining to release Tom Taylor for his second try of the afternoon. Loughborough wouldn’t stop competing and with a couple of minutes left of the match found their way across the line to score the equalising try and the last points of the game.

The game was a creditable draw played in the great spirit of rugby by both teams.