Stafford Colts had 7 of the senior colts selected to represent the county side on the same day that that top of the league Newport came to play a match at the county ground. So it was always going to be a tough ask for the team and so it proved.

Newport came out of the blocks very strongly and quickly raced into a match winning lead. After 30 mins Stafford scored a try when Dan Poultney forced his way over in the corner following a succession of strong drives and quickly taken penalties.

Playing with the wind in the second half it was a much more even game and Stafford started to play quite well with much more aggressive defense and some strong running from both the forwards and backs. Stafford were awarded a penalty try when Archie Bent was tackled high in the act of scoring but that completed scoring for the Stafford side.

Although Stafford were missing the majority of their senior players the team eventually stood up and played some good rugby at times. Some good aggressive defence in the second half was the catalyst for some good play from the team although some of the close runners did get isolated at times and end up turning the ball over. Some signs that the junior colts are capable of stepping up and leading the team and a few things to work on in training.

Mark