Dudley K v Stafford Colts 24/04/2022

The final match of the season saw Stafford Colts travel to Dudley Kingswinford for their return league fixture.

The match was played on a bone hard and dusty second team pitch which caused issues for both teams as the match wore on. However, Stafford put the issues with the pitch behind them and got off to a flying start when Rob Jones picked up a loose ball in his own half and galloped down the wing to score under the posts after less than a minute had been played. Ben Dodd added the simple conversion to draw level as leading points scorer for the season. Stafford were working hard against a combative DK pack but another mistake from the DK backs again allowed Rob Jones to pick up the loose ball and evade the struggling defenders to score under the posts. Owen Smith added the conversion. Stafford pack started to get on the front foot and from a penalty conceded close to the DK line Ben Dodd was able to take the quick tap and force his way over the try line next to the posts. Owen Smith added the conversion. Stafford did not have it all their own way in the first half and some desperate goal line defending prevented DK from crossing the line. The final try of the half was scored by Jack west following a break from inside the Stafford half which saw Rob Jones receive the ball in the wide channel and evade the DK defenders and then popping the ball to Jack for him to score his first ever try. However, there was debate in the bar afterwards if the try should have been disallowed due to jug avoidance for Rob’s hat-trick try. Owen smith added the conversion and the first ended with Stafford leading 0 – 28

The second half saw a more determined DK taking the fight to Stafford and they started to win the battle at the breakdown. Some poor tackling from Stafford saw the ball fed out to the speedy DK winger who scorched down the flank and scored under the posts. Shortly after DK scored their second try in similar circumstances and Stafford were struggling to maintain their control of the match. The situation was made worse by a yellow card for Ben Dodd and whilst he was on the side lines DK scored their third converted try. DK were now well and truly back in the game and Stafford were struggling to compete in the tight which was very unusual as this had been their strength all year. The Stafford forwards kept getting isolated and giving away penalties and field position. DK scored their fourth try but it went unconverted and with 10 minutes remaining the score was 26 – 28 to Stafford.

Realizing that there was now a real danger of loosing the match the Stafford side seemed to calm the game down and proceeded to play in a more controlled way, keeping DK in their own half and kicking for the corners and taking time off the clock. However, Stafford failed to turn that control into points and were held up over the line as well as conceding penalties whilst pushing for the try. With time running out DK tried to get into the Stafford half by kicking from deep however Rob Jones, now filling in at full back collected the kick, handed off some desperate DK tackers to score his third try of the match in the left hand corner as time ran out. The match then ended with Stafford scraping home with a 26 – 33 win.

The match can definitely be described as a game of two halves with DK showing a lot of heart and determination to come back for a 28 point deficit at half time to nearly pinch the win. The Stafford forwards had a poor day at the breakdown letting the DK forwards get over the ball and failing to clear the first jackler away. However, thanks mainly to the dynamic running of Rob Jones and some strong tackling in mid field Stafford came away with the points. It was the last outing as colts for the senior players who have been the core of the side all season and although it was not our finest performance of the season finishing with a win was very satisfying.

Enjoy the off season lads and we will see the u17’s players combine with the u16’s to form what promises to be an exciting Colts side next year.

Mark