Firstly, a big thank you to the opposition for getting this game on despite being ravaged by injuries, 13 a side and uncontested scrums would be the game rules (no flankers), and a bright sunny Saturday morning also greeted the Colts, on a firm pitch where the wind counteracted the slope.
Stafford would play with the wind in the first half and needed to build a score early and that they did, with only minutes on the clock, a scrum in the opposition half allowed Leon to hit a line from his wing and after being stopped short the forwards got in to recycle and Matty would score the opener (HW con 0-7).
Willenhall would come straight back using the slope but two steals by Jonah and some good defence allowed Harry to kick long, the ball rolling into touch, Safford competed at the not straight lineout and so were awarded a scrum and Will (capt for the day) , picked and went , the forwards again got the recycling done, and Jonah who had started the phases by stealing the ball, powered over to increase the lead (HW conv 0-14).
Again Willenhall pushed into the 22 and again Stafford held up, again Stafford cleared their lines, this time the chase was so good that the Colts had a platform to attack, seeing a gap Harry W chipped and chased with Flin and Jude making sure that the home team were scragged close to their own line. As they tried to clear, Harry W blocked the kick and Jude pounced to convert the loose ball. (HW conv 0-21)
Willenhall continued to fight and soon got some just rewards as they went blind from a scrum and after a recycle their backs went in to close the score (5-21).
With Willenhall having upped their work rate, Elijah stepped up with a great tackle that the forwards then jackaled and Stafford would kick the penalty deep for good field position. Off the next phases, Fred crashed in hard, the ball recycled and great quick hands and interplay between Harry C & W, Leon, Tom and Jack presented the opportunity to Will R who stretched out and was awarded the try. (HW conv 5-28)
Willenhall would get the last score in the half despite good tackles from Rich Austin and Harry C, Willenhall progressed up to the Stafford line, 7 phases later, eventually the space opened up and the halftime score was 10-28.
With the wind now against them, the message was simple, keep it tight, hit out wide and be clever when kicking. As Willenhall kicked long as expected, Freddie would return with interest and feed Elijah who dummied and got to halfway. Two forward phases, the backs were aligned, Jude hit the hole and offloaded out the tackle to Flin who went over for the first score of the second half. (5-33 missed conv)
From kickoff, Willenhall went high and long, Leon took it cleanly and made yards, despite a turnover, the winger was back on his feet and the got to the opposite side of the pitch to make a covering tackle and force a knock on, from the scrum he was back in action crashing the ball up and getting the Colts back on the front foot.
With the extra space due to two less players, every kick that missed touch Leon and Freddie were taking back with interest, interplay between the two went 22 to 22 , Tom on the onside almost supplying the link to get the next score.
And it would be Freddie again who would return the ball, this time the forwards through Jack and Ashton would make the yards, then Elijah on the recycled ball, dummied and went through to score and knocked over the extra 2pts as well. (10-40)
With the players visibly getting tired it was great to still see Tyler causing chaos in the lineout for the hosts and Jonah and Carter causing a nuisance at the breakdown. Eventually Willenahll would get their third and final try (15-40).
Stafford weren’t done and after a clean restart , the forwards set the base for the backs , Harry W chipped , Flin gathered and carried, a quick recycle blind, Leon hit the space with pace and Tyler backing up was passed the ball to finish a 70 yard counter attack . (15-47 HW conv)
The final score was one that showed the hunger and commitment from the Colts as in the last minute, with the ball in their own 22, Jude returned a kick with interest, played a 1-2 with Elijah before fending the covering defender and going in for the final try. Leon without points, stepped up and nudged over the conversion. (15-54)
A great early afternoon of rugby, played at pace and full of commitment. So with a couple of games left with Stoke the visitors Friday and then Lichfield (before a cup comp), lets finish off strong.