Stafford Colts A side travelled to neighbours Stoke to play a Friday night friendly fixture

Stafford started the game strongly playing the majority of the first 10 minutes in the Stoke half. When the Stafford forwards had failed to cross the line after a number of close range attempts the Stoke defence was pulled in narrow and Seb Conaghan spotted the space on the wide outside and placed a perfect kick pass into winger Joe Turnbull’s hands. In turn Joe then passed back inside to full back Henry Ralphs who dived over to score a lovely try, Seb added to conversion. Stafford then added a second try after 14 minutes when the forwards and back combined with some lovely handling, outflanking the Stoke defence and putting wing Joe Turnbull over in the right hand corner. Stoke then had a period of play in the Stafford half and when Stafford failed to clear their lines and turned the ball over Stoke scored their first converted try or the evening. From the kick off Stoke conceded territory and gifted Stafford a penalty 5 meters out. Stafford executed their close range penalty move and with all the Stoke forwards committed to the tight goal line defence Scrum Half Aiden Barker spotted a gap and dove over for the score. That concluded the scoring in the first half with Stafford leading 7 – 17.

Changes were made at half time but Stafford were still well in control of the game. The strong running Stoke forwards were having no joy against the strong tackling Stafford pack and centers Ollie Croft and Fin Osmant. After 13 minutes of the second half Stafford were awarded a lineout just outside of the Stoke 22. The forwards won the ball and set up a driving maul which was able to push the Stoke forwards all the way back to their own goal line where Daniel Clements was able to touch down, an amazing score. Then after 19 minutes Stafford captain Hugo Sutton was harshly shown a yellow card and the momentum in the game shifted towards Stoke. They changed tactics and instead of trying to bully Stafford down the middle of the field they exploited their numerical advantage by spinning the ball wide. They score a converted try after 20 minutes and a second shortly after on 25 minutes.

With 5 minutes to go and the numbers now restored to 15 per side the score was 21 – 22 to Stafford. Stafford had a penalty in front of the posts just outside the 22 but went for the kick for touch rather than the 3 points. The ball was kicked dead and Stoke had a 22 drop out, they won the ball back and Stafford gave away a penalty of their own wide on the left but inside their 22. Stoke decided to go for the 3 points and their kicker nailed it. The Stoke supporters were now getting very excited but the Stafford players remained calm. From the kick off Stafford recovered the ball pushed the Soke defenders back towards their own line and strong running center Finn Osmant broke two tackles and dived over under the Stoke posts. Henry Ralphs added the conversion and the referee blew for the end of the game, Stafford running out deserved winners 24 – 29.

It was a frantic end to a well contested game but one which Stafford should have put to bed a lot sooner that the final minute. It was also a chance for Stafford players who don’t get much game time with the Sunday side to have a lot of minutes on the pitch. Well played lads and I hope to see you all at training in the coming week.

Mark