Stafford24 Vs Walsall 7

Apologises for the short report, my paper got soaked so my notes are scant to say the least. So here we go.

After a great Friday night result, we moved back to the league and the home fixture against local rivals Walsall. Although the Colts enjoyed a good win earlier in the season, there was no guarantees of the getting the same result on a wet and grey afternoon.
This would be a match where the colts used some rugby savvy, physical aggression at the right times and a great team effort.
The game started at quite a pace considering the elements, but the pace saw handling errors from both teams. Stafford were getting the better of it with Tyler, Danail and Freddie all making good carries but each time the ball either came loose at the wrong moment or the team were held up with two goal line clearances by the visitors. Instead of getting flustered the Colts kept playing the same way and eventually Connor R on the wing made a break that allowed the recycled ball in good position, Danail continue the break and offloaded to Freddie to go over and open the scoring. (7-0 Connor S conv)
It wasn’t all one way , an attempt of a break out by the Walsall wing was covered on the far side by Jack who showed some pacer along with a real physical presence to sit the player down.
The half continued with punch and counter punch but no further points were scored.
As the subs rolled on the rain continued , but Stafford’s hand started to improve and clean takes by Danail and Josh saw the ball move down the pitch, eventually after another carry by Jonah and Mason, the gap opened up for Josh N to snipe through , again , only a try saving tackle prevented another score and allowed the visitors to clear.
Eventually the pressure told when Theo got over a tackle in the opposition 22 and the penalty was given. Without hesitation , posts were called and Connor S knocked over the 3pts (10-0).
Stafford were starting to move up a gear and when ever Walsall looked to break , Stafford had an answer. Harry back in at 10, put a high bomb up in midfield and as it came down , Connor S jumped highest to take the ball clean. A penalty shortly after was put to the corner and the pods took over on the front foot with Danail , Ed and Mason all getting close to the line, eventually , the ball came out , Danail moved the ball on, Harry fizzed out a long pass which Frazer took clean and powered over to open up a gap (17-0 Connor s conv).
Frazer almost got a second following a lineout again deep in the opposition half, but Walsall managed to clear into an open back field. Ziggy took the ball , stepped the chasing winger out of his shoes, then goosed him to get the ball up to the 22. The ball kept being moved forward and eventually (and apologises) , Josh or Will sniped over to score. (24-0 Connor S conv)
Walsall would get one back as time ticked away and only a fantastic tap tackle by Ben W prevented a second try.
As the whistle sounded it made 2 from 2 over the weekend and set a good platform to the second half of the season.
So back to training on Tuesday and Thursday and we keep building from here after a brilliant performance in testing conditions.