Willenhall Colts 7 – Stafford Colts 10

Stafford travelled to Willenhall for what they knew would be a tough league fixture against a strong pack.

The Stafford 15 had many players out of position due to injuries with Loz Hobbs stepping in to the role of hooker and Rory Pugh propping for the first time. It soon became apparent that they were going to be under immense pressure in the scrums and mauls. Willenhall started strongly using their big forwards to pin Stafford in their own 22 for long periods and dominating the set pieces. However, Stafford backs were the more adventurous attacking Willenhall even from their own half and pushing the home side back into their own 22 with some clever kicking by No10, George Morrison. Stafford won a penalty and with a fantastic touch kick by the No 10 they gained a lineout 5 metres from the Willenhall try line. With more success at the lineout, Stafford forwards attacked the Willenhall line and rucked the ball back quickly to release their backs which saw some great handling to put Nathan White over in the corner for an unconverted try. Willenhall threw everything at Stafford for the remainder of the 1st half but strong defence from Stafford kept the score at 0 - 5 at half time.

The second half started much the same with the Willenhall forwards dominating the set pieces and producing some good rolling mauls which Stafford forwards defended well and once again it was a good kick from the No 10 that put Willenhall under pressure in their own 22 and fast rucking by Stafford forwards once again released Nathan White on the short side to sidestep 2 Willenhall defenders for another unconverted try in the corner and it was 0 -10 to Stafford. The Willenhall forwards pounded the Stafford defence for the next 15 minutes eventually managing to break through for their 1st try which was converted. From the restart the Willenhall forwards once again put Stafford under pressure however they managed to hang on to the tremendously hard fought victory of Willenhall Colts 7, Stafford Colts 10.

Credit must go to the Stafford backs who lived off scraps for much of the game but still attacked whenever possible and the Stafford forwards who never gave up and worked hard throughout the match under immense pressure from a much bigger pack of Willenhall forwards.