Unusually Stafford made a bright start and put pressure on Telford from the kick off forcing them to concede a penalty just outside their 22 which James Milan converted. Stafford continued to dominate but a series of minor infringements and penalties resulted in a very fragmented first half. However, two of those penalties award to Stafford were in kickable positions in the Telford half and James Milan slotted both kicks. There was no other scoring in the first half despite Stafford having several golden chances to score and infringing just in front of the Telford line. We won’t talk about the kick ahead that Jordie did when clean through with just the full back to beat !! At half time the score was 0 – 9 to Stafford

As the 2nd half kicked off a fumble by Finley Evans resulted in a collision with a Telford forward and a serious injury. It was a fluke collision but one that put Finley in hospital with a broken leg and will see him absent from the team until after Christmas. The thoughts of his teammates and their parents are with Him, Phil and Deb for a speedy problem free recovery.

After a lengthy delay the game restarted and Stafford scored the opening try of the match when Lucas Till forced his way over following some fine and robust play by the Stafford forwards. Following the loss of Finley from the front row and whole sale changes to the Telford pack at half time the Stafford forwards struggled to regain their momentum from the first half and Telford were able to force a forwards try from close range under the Stafford posts. They also added the simple conversion. Following the kickoff Archie Bent was harshly shown a Yellow for a robust tackle and then Jordie Purvis injured his problematic right knee following a barn storming run and getting his foot twisted in the tackle. Down a man and a centre short Stafford then started to keep things tight and were able to move Telford back towards their own try line. Finally the ball was fed down the backs to Lucas Till who was able to force his way over the line despite a number of Telford tacklers.

With time running out Telford where able to score and convert a second try from close range but it was too little too late and Stafford won the game 21 - 14

It was a bitter sweet victory for Stafford who played very good rugby in patches and defended very well all game. But to lose key team members in Finley and Jordie took the shine off their first league win of the season. When Stafford Colts stuck to the game plan and their shape they dominated the game but when they played loose and off the cuff rugby they lost their shape and failed to execute in the opposition red zone. So some good patterns of play are starting to emerge and it looks like the practice in training is starting to pay off.

Keep it up lads, keep working hard, its starting to come good and you are playing some really good rugby.
Mark