First pre-season fixture for the 2022 – 2023 Stafford Colts saw them play a strong Newport side on a very warm Wednesday evening at the county ground. The Stafford side were missing key players due to summer holidays and were able to muster 19 players compared to the 24 or more players that Newport turned up with. That said the Stafford team played very well and kept Newport in their own half for long periods of the first half and Seb Conaghan scored the first try of the match when he collected his own chip forward, Henry Ralphs adding the conversion. Newport hit back with a converted try of their own and just as the half was ending loose play from the kickoff and resulting line out close to the Stafford line saw Newport score their 2nd converted try.

The second half saw Newport bring on fresh leg’s and they scored another two tries one converted to give them a commanding lead midway through the 2nd half. However, Stafford came back at Newport and put them under pressure with the forwards making some storming runs and putting pressure on the Newport line. Stafford spurned a few good scoring chances close to the Newport line before Rhys Bowen eventually forced his way over, Seb added the simple conversion. With time running out Stafford still continued to pressure the Newport line and after a succession of Newport infringements Gurman Seehra eventually took a wider line from the ruck and dived over the line to score. The match finished 19 – 26 to Newport.

For the first run out of the season it was a good performance from the new Stafford Colts side. Some technical things to work on and more structure to add into training should reap the rewards from what promises to be a very exciting and talented Colts side this season.
Next pre-season game is again at home on Wednesday 24th August against Uttoxeter

Well done guys, lot more to come and the coaching team are excited about the season ahead

Mark