Stafford 17 Vs 12 Dudley K

We are getting to the point of the season where cup fixtures are on the horizon and players are putting their hands up for selection for that match. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you are training and when selected play, and play well for the team, then there is every chance you name is in the hat, for those big games.
Sunday in February and an afternoon fixture on the grass, a firm but heavy track accompanied by a wind that couldn’t quite make up its mind.
With the wind at their backs, Stafford kicked off long and after the ball was touched by a DK player before going out the back of the try area, Stafford were gifted the perfect opening possession and position. From the scrum Danail went blind and couldn’t get over. Two more phases followed, and Stafford couldn’t break down the door until eventually Connor hit a line and a soft shoulder to power over for the opener. (5-0)
As DK looked to hit straight back, Danail took the restart clean and between him and Oli made good ground and the colts would clear their lines.
The game was definitely an even one and a lot of the play was within the central third with any momentum by either team being cancelled out by either good defence or a mistake.
It didn’t seem to matter which angle DK took, the Stafford forwards and backs were all up to the task and even when balls were spilled, players reacted and jumped on to the ball to kill the game.
It looked like Stafford were getting a foothold when they went through the phases after Finn H had made a break with Dylan, James and Mason all having good progression, only for the ball to get turned over and against the run of play, DK broke and went the length of the pitch to take the lead. (5-7)
At the restart , DK were loose and Tom pounced on the ball to secure possession , shortly after Stafford again went through phases and good hands after a cross kick from Harry W was fielded by Finn H who stepped and offloaded to Leon, then Connor and James , only for Stafford to run out of support and a penalty was conceded and the visitors cleared their lines. It was pleasing though that the Colts continued to press with ball in hand but when deep in their own half, cleared to safety through Elijah and reset their stall.
The lineout and scrum were also starting to tick, both providing a good base for attack. Stafford would again make their way into the 22 and this time Connor would go blind only to be stopped, Mason took it back and after a couple of penalties for offside the forwards got within a metre of the line. This time the ball came out a quick and a fizzed ball (by either Elijah or Dylan apologises to who made the pass) missed two players out and Finn H on the wing got over in the corner. (10-7).
The restart had to be dealt with before the half time whistle which Jake did with aplomb as his opposite number hit him instantly and Jake popped the ball off to Danail who made ground and Stafford saw it through to the half.
Second half and raft of changes but the game tempo and ball movement remained the same.
As penalties started to grow for both teams, so did the testosterone levels and eventually after Jake had won the ball, a DK player decided to push the patience of the Ref and received a yellow card. From the penalty Stafford made ground and from the ensuing lineout Leon made provided good front foot ball, a quick recycle and Jake (lining up in the back line), went in from halfway, beating two with a swerve before showing great pace. (17-7 HW conv).
Dudley looked to get a score back but Harry C was being pesky at the breakdown and stole the ball, James took the ball into midfield and popped a ball to release Connor, who inturn put Jude into space only for the centre to get caught in the opposing 22 but it was a lovely flowing move involving the forwards and backs and made sure the visitors were the wrong end of the pitch.
Half opportunities continued for both teams but like the first half, the ball just didn’t want to stick or good defence, this time by Connor at the breakdown and Will in the lineout saw the home team through to the last five minutes.
Eventually DK would get a further try when from a clearance, some poor tackling allowed the opposition wing to go all the way across the pitch and score in the opposite corner. (17-12)
Stafford had to maintain their composure as they were now down to 14 as Oli had been yellowed for his scrum technique (something someone am sure could explain), and pleasingly that they did, kicking the ball into touch after another great breakdown penalty and the players could breathe a sigh of relief after a really good, hard fought game of rugby.
So, looking ahead to next week and its Burton at home in the cup. They beat Stoke and will be looking for revenge, so it’s a simple question, if you want to play = train and train like you want it.
Bring on next week.