Stafford Colts played hosts to a combined Uttoxeter & Leek Colts side on a bright but cold Sunday afternoon on the AGP.

Stafford were dominant in the game from the start with Ben Dodd diving over from a 5 meter lineout after only 2 minutes. Uttoxeter struggled to cope with the sustained pressure being applied by the Stafford forwards with only determined defence keeping them at bay. However, eventually Stafford score their 2nd try when Hugo Sutton forced his way over underneath the posts, James Milan adding the simple conversion. Then following a clearing kick from James Milan the Uttoxeter defender knocked the ball forward straight into the path of the on rushing winger Owen Smith who gathered the ball superbly and dove into the corner for the third Stafford try. The much more difficult conversion was added superbly by James Milan. The first half ended with Stafford colts leading 19 – 0.

Uttoxeter must have had a stern talking to at half time because they came out a different side in the second half. They put Stafford on the back foot from the start with some strong running from the forwards which combined with some poor tackling from the Stafford side resulted in two quick tries for the visitors, neither of which were converted. Then during another dangerous Uttoxeter attack Archie Bent intercepted a Uttoxeter pass and raced 80 meters down the pitch to score in the corner evading the desperate Uttoxeter defenders. After that the result was never really in doubt. Ben Dodd scored his second try of the match driving over from a maul close to the Uttoxeter line and the Stafford defense re-established its control to keep Uttoxeter out as time ran out. Final score was Stafford 29 – Uttoxeter 10.

For periods of the game Stafford Colts looked like a well drilled team, they played rugby in the right areas of the pitch and carried the ball with real determination and power. However, some of the defensive play and 1v1 tackling let the side down at times. However, in the end it was a good result for Stafford Colts. The next two matches are the final league games in the first half of the season and with key players not being available due to County commitments it will be time for the rest of the team to step up.

Well done lad on a good win

Mark