Stafford 10 Vs 24 Newport

It was a lovely spring afternoon at Stafford with Newport the visitors.
To start it was great to have three of the U16’s step up and make their debuts for the Colts, all three made their mark and put a shift in for the team.
It started off well with Stafford getting a grip in the scrum and playing the ball wide to Jolame, the winger made good yards, playing the ball inside to Jude in support who passed the ball back out wide to the winger who had recovered his position, before being hit, he played it back into Jake who would score the opener. It was a great try involving players running supporting lines and not giving up on the play or waiting for someone to do it all themselves. (5-0 missed conv)
Stafford would have the opportunity to increase their lead when a loop and hands put Dylan S through a hole but with players outside him , the final pass was closed down and the chance was gone.
Stafford throughout the first half continued to play well in phases with Jolame, James and Jonah all making impacts in attack and defence.
One covering tackle by Jolame across from the opposite wing stopped a Newport score.
As the half continued, Newport would manage to get two tries as miscommunication crept in at the wrong times for the home team, and the visitors would go in at the break 5-12 up.
The second half started as the first half had, with Stafford pressing and making good use of the wind and pitch. Only a last pass or indecision kept the Colts out. Eventually Carter would manage to get over for a well worked forwards try to narrow the score to two (10-12 missed conv).
Like the first half, despite the good defence, in particular from Mason some miscues lead to two more tries for the visitors, and a game that could have, would have, should have been a home win, led to the colts first loss in three.
There were a number of positives though ;
For next season, the u16’s playing up , don’t look out of place at this level and settled in well.
Jolame when fit and available is a real player in both defence and attack.
The game allowed a number of players like Carter, Logan Collins and Owen to get valuable game time.
So, into the home stretch, and its time for all players to really commit to training, it not just for this season but also to start working on next seasons moves, continuity and partnerships.