Stafford Colts played the return league fixture away at Wolverhampton RUFC after a narrow defeat in the home game between these two sides.

Stafford made a slow start to the game with the first 5 minutes seeing Wolverhampton putting sustained pressure on the Stafford line. Eventually Wolverhampton scored what was a controversial try in the left had corner from what seemed to be a ball that was dropped in the act of scoring. The Wolverhampton kicker added the conversion from right on the touchline. The remainder of the first half was then a stop start type of game punctuated with lots of penalties for minor infringements and the game was not allowed to flow. Wolverhampton added to their score with a penalty kick. Then Stafford woke up and started to put pressure on the Wolverhampton defense resulting in numerous penalties being awarded. From one of these penalties Stafford kicked to the corner, won the lineout and Bed Dodd was able to force his way over the Wolverhampton line with James Milan adding the conversion. James then added a successful penalty kick to the Stafford score but unfortunately missed another couple of more difficult chances that would have seen Stafford take the lead before half time. As it was the first half ended with the score tied at 10 – 10.

The second half was very much like the first with lots of penalties awarded to both sides and the game not being allowed to flow. Wolverhampton scored their second try after some confusing on the Stafford line when Stafford were awarded a goal line dropout for holding the ball up only for the referee to change his decision to a penalty against Stafford for a high tackle. They successfully added the conversion from in front of the posts. Stafford had sustained periods of pressure on the Wolverhampton line but a lack of composure from a succession of penalties and rucks saw them come away empty handed. With time running out Wolverhampton completed the scoring with a penalty denying Stafford a bonus point. Final score being 20-10 to Wolverhampton.

It was a very close game with both sides evenly matched. The Wolverhampton backs looking very dangerous every time they got the ball and the Stafford forwards dominating in the scrum and in the rucks. However, the game was not allowed to flow with virtually no advantage being played from all the penalties that were conceded and the stop start nature of the game resulting in some niggles between the players. Stafford lacked the composure that would have seen them take hold of the game and we need to work on getting back to the game structure we practice in training when the pressures of game day come to the fore.

It was a game that Stafford did not deserve to loose but one that hopefully that the lads will learn from. Let’s regroup, refocus and come back stronger in the remaining games in the run up to Christmas.

Mark