Stafford 20 Vs Hereford 26

After an extended Christmas and New Year break, which included two cancelled fixtures, it was nice to get back to some rugby and boy what a cracker of a game to start the new year off.
With dry, bright conditions and a slight cross field wind, the game started and straight away the pace was high. In attack there were good carried from James and Tyler, in defence Ellis and Jude were keeping the visiting back line from gaining yards and as always Jake was fizzing about causing disruption.
As the game settled the ball was being moved well across the line with Freddie, Ellis and Finn H all getting space and making yards each time they got the ball. Hereford also stood up to the task and for every break, there was a tackle, for every tackle Mason, Jonah and Danail made a break down. For every kick that cleared, Freddie was secure and with Finn H, ground was recovered.
Eventually after some strong carrying from Marley (in at 13), a penalty was awarded to Stafford and as the forwards ignored the suggestion of a penalty, they went and soon after Mason punched through a hole and Stafford opened the scoring (7-0 Ellis conv).
It wouldn’t be long unfortunately until the scores were tied, a break from the kick-off saw the visitors attack blind and only a cover tackle from Finn H prevented a try. After a couple of crash balls, Stafford conceded a penalty and two phases later the visitors went over and tied up the score.
Stafford continued through the half punching holes in midfield through Marley, but any half chances didn’t quite go to hand, or someone changed their direction.
as the halftime whistle sounded it was time to catch your breath, in what was a great first half to watch.
Where the first half was a scrappy chess match, the second half started with a big bang. A contestable restart saw Finn H get up and disrupt, the loose ball popped out and Finn C was on hand to scoop and score. (14-7 Ellis conv).
Within two minutes though and following a penalty that was kicked deep into the Stafford half, Hereford would hit short and then go very wide, and the score were back level (14-14)
The visitors were using what little wind there was and their big clearance to good effect and following another penalty, they found touch 10 out from the Stafford line. A good, drilled catch and drive would result in the go ahead try (14-19).
Stafford weren’t going to roll over though and after a good carry by Farai, Stafford were in the Hereford final third. Harry W in at 10 cross kicked and a good chase from Finn H put the visitors on their own line. The clearing kick was returned by Marley, and the visitors gave away a penalty in the 22. Ellis stepped up to reduce the deficit. (17-19)
Stafford had belief and as the forwards through James and Jonah carried and made ground, gaps appeared and Connor exploited one, making players miss, the centre looked through but a great tackle by the fullback prevented a score.
It was a big moment in the game as the forwards tried to punch over and it looked like Jake had managed it , but he was stripped and the ball cleared, shortly after a penalty was conceded by the visitors which Ellis who was perfect off the T, slotted over for a one point advantage. (20-19)
As Stafford started to tire the penalty’s increased and eventually from the same source as the previous visitors try, there forwards punched a hole and went 6up (20-26).
The last five minutes saw carries by Danail, Jonah and Tyler who were not giving up and despite everyone’s effort, there wasn’t the chance for one last try.
This was a great game from both teams and a really enjoyable game to watch.
If this teamwork and effort van be carried on through the rest of the season, I am sure these narrow losses will start to turn in wins.