Stafford 40 Vs Longton 19

Our first Friday night under lights of the developmental league season, and this was truly a game of two halves, Stafford rested a number of players who were due to play against Mosley on Sunday and others were unavailable due to college commitments.Our opposition would start a number of players who were also playing in their Sunday game and at half time had a number of Stafford players change teams.
This meant that this was truly a game of two halves and as such this match report is the same. The first half can be summed up as despite good efforts and straight running by Jude , Logan and Rich. Stafford continually lost the ball in contact and over committed at times in defence allowing gaps for the opposition to exploit. Despite good defence from Jonah , Logan and Dylan, Longton would score three tries, converting two. At the break it was 0-19 to the visitors.
The second half would change as would the players involved. It started with Connor in the centres, making a powerful break from his half, Jonah on his shoulder continued the forward attack, Connor back on his feet continued as the link and fed Leon,who would scoot through to open the scoring. (7-19 Elijah conv).
From the restart, Finley took it clean and ran with pace and power to beyond halfway, Rory in support continued the momentum only to touch the whitewash out wide. Stafford though were in a groove and stole the lineout. Two phases later, Stafford was close to the line as Connor hit the ball up. The ball was recycled and Ed Austin continued the scoring. (12-19 Elijah missed conv).
The next restart almost went the same way as Logan again targeted the open field, this time with support from Leon, Stafford were soon deep in the Longton half. Phases were completed and Danny (playing in the back row) would level the scores (19-19 Elijah conv).
Longton fought back and Stafford defended well, eventually a scrum near midfield provided a good base for the next Stafford attack. Harry with the dummy switch put Leon into space and Leon would do what he does best when in space, beating players with pace and side steps, going in under the posts, to put the home team into the lead. (26-19 Elijah conv).
Stafford were looking to continue the scoring and between Finley and Rory they were managing to run out from deep with power. Stafford went through four phases with the ball being recycled quickly. Farai and Mason added to the go forward and eventually Connor would set his man and Leon would continue his try count. (33-19 Elijah conv)
The final try of the evening would come as the backs attacked space, Connor as he had done all half made the half break, was supported by Jude, who in turn fed Fraser. The winger fended and out paced the covering defence to score a try and finish off the evening. (40-19 Elijah conv)
Although there was a lot to work on from the first half, the second half showed character and work ethic, with some good team tries being scored. The developmental league should be interesting and will provide some good games for players to gain form and experience.