Stafford started the game well with the forwards carrying hard and the backs making good ground in midfield but some good defence from Stoke kept Stafford at bay. But then Stoke conceded a number of penalties in their own half and from a 5 meter lineout Charlie Kirby forced is way over for the opening try. Stoke struggled to put pressure on Stafford because the defence was very sound and as a result the visitors started to get frustrated. However, Stafford failed to turn their first half possessions into points and squandered a number of good scoring opportunities. First half finished with Stafford leading by the single unconverted try of the game 5 – 0.

Stafford made several changes at half time in order to ensure everyone got good game time but the pattern of play was repeated. Stafford making several good runs in the opposition half and Stoke failing to make much of an impression in the Stafford 22. Then after 19 minutes Dan Cleaver broke through at the side of a ruck and some desperate defence pulled him down in the 15 meters out, but Stafford forwards were quick to the breakdown and went round the corner quickly a couple of times which left Stoke short on defenders and Archie Bent popped the ball the Hugo Sutton who finished the flowing move off with the try in the right hand corner. Stoke were now getting very frustrated and a number of niggles started to flair up at the breakdown and the scrum. But with time running out a break in midfield saw a ruck form in the Stoke 22 and the ball was fed round the corner for Brendon Gayton to score, his first ever try, in the left hand corner and time was called. Final score being 17 – 0 to Stafford.

It was a very good defensive display from Stafford who managed to keep a clean sheet for the first time this season. The team played well but could have and should have scored some more points, the penalty moves close to the Stoke line were not executed very well and there was some sloppy handling errors which also cost Stafford points. However, all in all it was a good performance from the Colts A side against a feisty Stoke team who grew more frustrated as the game went on.

So some things to work on in training, Well done boys and we will see you in the week ahead.
Mark