Stafford 5 Vs Newport 33

Question, which of the following is best for you as a player and a team
A) Play well as a player/team and win the game.
B) Play well as a player/team and lose the game.
C) Play poorly as a player/team and win the game.
D) Play Poorly as a player/team and lose.
We would all agree that A is great but it doesn’t always happen. When A doesn’t happen, I would sometimes prefer option B over option C, but surely isn’t winging what everyone wants, yes sometimes, however if I had played well and the team as a whole had played well and you walked away knowing you had given everything but today wasn’t your day. I could deal with far better than if I’d played badly and yet we had won. I know not everyone is built like that.
So, lets put tonight’s game into context as the score would suggest that this was a one-sided affair.
The opposition apparently had several injuries to there reserves/developmnent team so bought over a fair quantity of their league players.
The home team pack had 3 hookers starting, no props, a no.8 and 9 playing their first games in the position and 5 out of the 6 replacements were by all account's wingers.
By the end of the game, we had uncontested scrums (last 5 mins), a winger in the front row, a centre in the back row and a team who had given it everything and that can be applauded greatly.
Prior to the match, the message was simple, go to basics, try and move the ball away from the opposition big players, put your tackles in and enjoy the game.
The first half was a proper tight affair with little given by both teams. Each team managed half breaks and possible chances while both defences stepped up, Rory on the wing having to put in a couple of really good tackles to prevent scores out wide. Harry Neal at scrum half , having never played there before did a really good job burrowing for the ball at the breakdown as the pack (with no recognised props) were very light compared to the opposition, managed to hold their own at scrum time. The lineout at times looked good, Tyler pinching a couple and getting the backs ball . Ed Chambers in the second row was getting around the park and causing a nuisance and although Newport would take the lead after a number of phases following a lineout (0-7), Stafford responded really well and were soon in the opposition 22. Newport on the back foot, cleared but the loose ball was picked up by Jolame who stepped two and recycled, Tyler in support was stopped short and offloaded to Connor who looked to have scored but again was stopped metres from the line. Eventually the ball was moved away from the contact area and Joe powered over to close the gap (missed conv 5-7).
The rest of half continued with good tackles from Harry Churchill and Tyler, half breaks by Finn Collins (who was everywhere in attack and defence), Leon and Finn Glasgow that almost led to a second try only for a cover tackle to stop Stafford taking the lead before half time. The open play from Stafford was structured and was moving the opposition backwards and side to side on regular occasion.
The second half if you looked at the score was one sided, but was it ? Not really, when Ed came off and asked what the score was, his reaction said it all, he was surprised and said he thought it was much closer.
The team effort saw Tom in the centre and Declan on the wing make some tackles in tough spots to prevent tries. Danny and George were still carrying the fight in the tight with both having a number of carries. Fraser in a fullback covered the kicks well and made good ground whenever it was asked of him. Connor now in the front row and Leon in the back row put their heads in where backs wouldn’t normally and did a great job. Flin coming on provided good energy and kept the ball moving between the forwards and backs.
As the match got towards full time, Stafford came close to scoring twice, Owen was released down the wing after good hands from Harry W and Carta , only for three Newport players to cover and force him out a couple of yards short of the line, and from a penalty after good work throughout the team, George was stopped short and the tries just would quite come. But tonight wasn’t going to be our night.
So back to my original point, although this was a loss, look at the what the team achieved, players gave 110% for each other, players not known for tackling stepped up and put them in, others played out of position for each other and am sure there would have been some sore bodies Saturday morning, but they deserve a lot of credit for the performance and team work that we saw Friday night. It was also good to see a number of the Sunday squad in attendance to support the lads.