Stafford Colts travelled to play Walsall Colts on Thursday evening in the Fred Rowley trophy a local colts cup contested by Walsall, Wolverhampton, Sutton Coldfield and Stafford Colts.

From the kick off Scrum Half Archie Bent had a clearing box kick charged down and the Walsall player was able to gather the ball and score the opening try of the game. Stafford were behind after only 30 seconds. However, Stafford put the shock start behind them and from the re-start put pressure on the Walsall line and from a 5m lineout drove over the line and Hugo Sutton touched down, Seb Conaghan added the conversion from out wide. Then again from the restart Stafford broke round the Walsall defence and charged towards the try line. Backs and forward interchanged passes and number 8 Oscar Hall-Davies was brough down just short but Archie Bent was on hand to pick up the ball and dive over the line, Seb added the conversion. After going behind with the first play of the game Stafford were now in front 5 – 14 after only 5 minutes of play.

Walsall were awarded a penalty just outside of the Stafford 22 and chose to kick for posts, which was a strange decision so early in the game. However the kick was missed and Stafford were able to clear their lines. The Stafford backs were looking sharp and a number of quick passes saw the ball passed to the wide channel and Jack Raine outpaced the Walsall defenders to score under the posts, Seb added the conversion. Then out of no where Seb decided to put in a speculative midfield kick behind the Walsall defence, this was fielded by the Walsall fullback who ran through the middle of the Stafford team and scored under the posts. That try against the run of play did not deter the Stafford side and they came storming back at Walsall. A ruck in midfield was played wide quickly and winger Eddie Unwin was too quick for the Walsall defence he ran in the next try finishing it off under the posts, Seb added the conversion.
The tries then just kept coming for Stafford with wing forward Daniel Clements and winger Henry Perks, playing only his second game after a long injury layoff, added tries of their own. Both were converted by Seb. The half finished with Stafford leading 12 – 46 having scored 6 first half tries all converted by Seb.

The weather then took a turn for the worst at the start of the second half and the heavy rain resulted in a number of unforced errors from both sides with the slippy ball. 5 minutes into the half Stafford were awarded a penalty and kicked for the corner. From the resulting lineout and driving maul Hugo Sutton was able to touch down for his second try of the night in the far right hand corner, Henry Perks just missing with the difficult conversion. The rain then started to ease and Stafford started to resume their free flowing style of running rugby. Fin Osmant crashed through the Walsall defence and passed to winger Brendan Gayton who dashed towards the Walsall line only to be tackled 2 meters short. However, he was alert and popped the ball off the floor to supporting hooker Colton McLaughlin who touched down for the try, Seb added the conversion. Walsall were then awarded a penalty try when a speculative kick behind the Stafford defence bounced infield rather than out and covering forward Will Smith tackled the Walsall player without the ball when he was about to touch down. Fortunately, Stafford were able play the yellow card period without conceding any more points.

Into the last quarter of the game and the rain had started to ease off some what. Now restored to the full 15 men compliment Stafford returned to their fasted paced style of rugby, playing quickly from the rucks and stretching the Walsall defence out wide. Then center Fin Osmant received the ball at full speed 5 meters out from the Walsall line and crashed into the defender on the line, sitting him down and then touching down for the try under the posts. Seb added the simple conversion. The final Stafford try of the match was scored when the ball again was moved quickly wide to find Winger Brendan Gayton outside the last Walsall defender. As he charged forward center Fin Osmant got onto his outside shoulder and received the simple scoring pass to run the ball in from half way and scored unopposed under the posts, Seb added the conversion. Stafford running out convincing winners 19 – 68.

It was a spectacular game from Stafford Colts full of powerful forward play at the breakdown and swift handling and running from the backs. Stafford scored 10 tries and Seb Conaghan had converted all 9 of the conversions that he took, a stunning kicking performance. Archie Bent was awarded player of the match from Stafford by the watching Walsall officials but it could have gone to any number of the players as everyone had a great game and a fantastic all round team performance. Next up is the final of the Fred Rowley trophy against the new crowned county cup champions Wolverhampton at Walsall next Tuesday evening, 7.30 ko. Hopefully the Stafford lads can put in another performance like this one and finish of this fantastic season by lifting a trophy.

Mark