Stafford Colts travelled to play Wolverhampton Colts on Tuesday evening in the final of the Fred Rowley trophy a local colts cup that Stafford have never won.

Stafford got off to the fast start they were looking for when Wolverhampton conceded a penalty virtually from the kickoff. Stafford kicked for the corner and from the lineout formed a driving maul and Hugo Sutton touched down after only 2 minutes. Stafford were in control and launched attack after attack in the Wolverhampton half. They missed a couple of opportunities to add to the score before a flowing backs and forwards move saw the ball recycled 5 meters from the Wolverhampton line and back rower Oscar Hall-Davies forced his way over under the posts, Seb Conaghan added the simple conversion. Wolverhampton were struggling to get out of their own half and could not deal with the strong counter rucking from the Stafford forwards. On 30 minutes Stafford were awarded a penalty in their own half but missed the kick to touch. The Wolverhampton fullback tried to run out from his own goal line but the chasing Stafford backs hauled him down. The forwards then won the ball back at the counter ruck and it was passed quickly out wide for center Ollie Croft to touch down, Seb Conaghan added the conversion.

With time running out in the first half Wolverhampton then had their first spell in the Stafford half. Stafford defended well but were penalised numerous times at the breakdown and the lineout. Eventually Stafford won the ball back but instead of a simple kick into touch to end the half the kick to touch was missed and Wolverhampton ran back at Stafford. Another succession of penalties followed and Wolverhampton eventually getting their opening score to close out the half with Stafford leading 5 - 19

The late score seemed to give Wolverhampton hope of coming back into the game and they scored their 2nd try after only 2 minutes of the second half gone. Stafford had lost some of their dominance at the breakdown but it was then the backs turn to shine. Jack Raine had some lovely runs through the middle of the park and Henry Perks playing at full back also ran strongly through the midfield. After 16 minutes of the 2nd half Stafford had a lineout in midfield. The backs co-ordinated a pre-planned move which saw the ball passed to Henry Perks out the back. He got round the corner and put a chip kick in behind the Wolverhampton defender. Speedy winger Aiden Barker gathered the bouncing ball and dashed over to score under the posts, Seb Conaghan added the conversion. That score put Stafford back on the front foot and they pressed hard for what would be the decisive next score. That came from another driving maul from a lineout this time Charlie Kirby touching down, Seb added the conversion. Wolverhampton got a consolation try with time running out but Stafford had run out worthy winners with a score line of 17 – 33.

It was a fantastic way to end what has been a great season for Stafford Colts winning the North Midlands Colts Division 2 title as well as the Fred Rowley trophy for the first time. The game saw the senior colts sign off in style with their first ever silver wear Forwards Dan Cleaver, Colton McLaughlin, Finley Evans, Gurman Seehra, Oliver Downie, Hugo Sutton, Archie Paul and Oscar Hall-Davies and backs Archie Bent and Eddie Unwin.

Have a well earned rest lads over the summer and we will see you all at the presentation evening on the 19th May.
Mark