Stafford Colts travelled to Lichfield to play the semi-final of the Staffordshire Colts cup.

Immediately from the kickoff Stafford failed to gather the kick and knocked the ball forward into another Stafford player. Lichfield were awarded the penalty and took the 3 points and Stafford were on the back foot after only 30 seconds. Stafford continued to make mistakes gifting Lichfield field position and failing to get out of their own half. From another penalty Lichfield this time took the tap and go and scored out wide. Then from a breakdown in midfield Lichfield passed the ball quickly to their speedy wing who ran in a try wide on the right from half way, Ollie Croft nearly making the try saving tackle. Stafford were slowly coming back into the match but Lichfield kept the pressure on by taking a second penalty kick. Finally, Stafford put pressure back on Lichfield and were rewarded when Archie Paul forced his way over from 5 meters out. From the restart Stafford lost possession and gave away a penalty which Lichfield were able to score under the Stafford posts. However, rather than letting their heads drop Stafford came roaring back at Lichfield and were awarded a last minute penalty 5 meters from the home sides try line. A rehearsed penalty move worked and it saw Ollie Croft score in the far right hand corner as Lichfield ran out of defenders just as the Colts had trained for. Half time came with a score line of 28 – 10 to Lichfield.

Stafford were second best in the opening 20 minutes of the first half but had started to come back at Lichfield and there was a sense that the Stafford lads had an opportunity to take the match in the second half. They piled the pressure on the Lichfield line and time and time again threatened to score but the Lichfield defence was solid and they kept Stafford at bay until the 23rd minute when Oscar Hall-Davies was able to force his way over from close range. Stafford then had a succession of penalties close to the Lichfield line and the home side were reduced to 14 men once again. However, some strange refereeing decision denied Stafford another second half score, Archie Bent being denied a score from a quick tap and Gurman Seehra being held up over the line by what looked like a neck roll tackle. After failing to score numerous times from close range Stafford eventually ran out of puff and Lichfield were able to relieve the pressure and scored the last try of the match under the Stafford posts. Final score was 35 – 15 to the home side.

After going 21 – 0 down after 28 minutes of the first half Stafford had rallied and scored 15 points to Lichfield’s 14 in the remaining time of the match, the slow start costing Stafford a place in the final. Lichfield are a good side but Stafford showed that when they turn up they are a match for anyone. A disappointing result and a match that should have been much closer on the score line.

Next up for the Colts is a home league fixture against Dudley Kingswinford and hopefully a return to winning way before the Easter break. See you all at training

Mark