Stafford Colts traveled to Dudley Kingswinford to play their league fixture in what has been a historically close match and so it proved again.

Unusually Stafford Colts made a sluggish and error strewn start, passes were not sticking and the forwards were not able to put many phases together. This was not helped by the stop start nature of the game due to too many infringements being given against both sides. After 11 minutes DK opened the scoring after failing to score from a 5 meter line-out they changes the point of attack, span the ball wide and scored in the opposite corner. Stafford then spurned a number of chances to score and made uncharacteristic errors and simple mistakes. However, following a line-out close to the DK line the ball was over thrown and No.8 Charlie Kirby was able to gather the loose ball and dive over for the try. Seb Conaghan hitting the post with the conversion twice after he was asked to retake it !! On 31 minutes DK scored there second try with a well worked move in center field put their center through a gap and he manged to score under the posts, simple conversion was added. With time running out in the first half Stafford were awarded yet another penalty which they kicked to the corner. From the resulting line out the catch and drive was successful and Hugo Sutton touched down with a helping push over the line from his scrum half Archie Bent. First half finished with a score line of 12 – 10 to the home side.

After a roasting from coach Dean Rodwell at half time there was a lot more urgency in the Stafford play at the start of the 2nd half. But against the run of play DK were awarded a succession of penalties and they chose to take the simple 3 point on offer. Then with Stafford threatening the DK line once again the ball was turned over in the DK 22 and the ball was cleared into center field where a mix up in the Stafford back field allowed the charging DK centers to hack the ball through and outpace the chasing defender to score under the posts, simple conversion was added.

All the play was no coming from a more energised Stafford side and DK were struggling to hold on. Then following a scrum in center field the ball moved swiftly down the Stafford backs and Dan Poultney threw a trademark dummy to break into the DK backfield and score under the posts, Seb added the conversion. Then with time ticking down and Stafford pressing for the go ahead score the ball was ripped out of Charlie Kirby’s grasp in the act of scoring. From the long goal line drop-out a ruck on half way was formed but Stafford turned over possession and the alert DK winger picked up the loose ball and exploited the wrong footed Stafford defence to score the home sides fourth try, the additional 2 points were added from way out wide. Stafford needed a try to come away with at least some bonus points and following repeated infringements from DK a quick play of the ball and some strong forward runs gave space for Seb on the blind side and he side stepped his way past two DK defenders to score Stafford’s last gasp 4th try in added on time. The match finished 29 – 22 to the home side.

On the day Stafford played more of the rugby but sloppy mistakes were capitalised on by a good DK back line and they made the visitors pay the ultimate price of a first league defeat of the season. There were some good performances from the Stafford team with Ollie Downe dominant at the line-out, Charlie Kirby and Hugo Sutton carrying hard around the fringes and Dan Poultney and Fin Osmant always posing a threat in the centers. However, some uncharacteristic handling errors, poor decisions and infringements close to the DK line combined with a slow start cost Stafford the game.

There are two home friendly games this coming weekend with Uttoxeter visiting on the Friday evening (7.30 KO) and Tamworth visiting on Sunday (2pm KO). Let’s work hard in training this week boys and get back to winning ways.
Mark