On a wet miserable Sunday afternoon Stafford u16 Roses traveled to Crewe & Nantwich for a friendly fixture.

From the kick off Stafford were caught cold when Crewe got the ball to their speedy number 11 who ran 60 meters to score the opening try. At the restart Crewe knocked the ball on and from the resulting midfield scrum Stafford attacked from the base and Izzy was on hand to finish the move off by scoring under the posts, Evie added the extra 2 points. The conditions were proving difficult for both sides resulting in numerous handling errors. After another Stafford knock on Crewe took advantage and got the ball out wide to their speedy winger who dotted down under the posts for a converted try. Stafford hit back shortly after when the ball was passed into midfield and Tori rounded the Crewe defence to score in the corner. Then from the re-start Tori caught the ball and ran it straight back this time scoring under the posts, Evie added the simple conversion. Crewe were struggling to deal with the strong running Stafford forwards but they missed a number of opportunities to spin the ball wide for simple scores when the Crewe defence was outnumbered. Eventually however, after a series of rucks close the Crewe line the ball was passed out wide and Tori was again on hand to finish the move off. That concluded the scoring in the first half with Stafford leading 12 – 24.

At half time destructive and energetic number 8 Eve was moved to inside centre and it produced a try immediately when she burst through the Crewe backs and scored after only 3 minutes. Stafford were now well and truly in charge of the game but Crewe were not making it easy for the visitors. Some desperate defending in midfield kept Stafford at bay for a short spell until once again Eve broke free in centre field and this time dotted down under the posts. Evie was struggling with a thigh injury and had to be substituted so Sienna stepped up and slotted the conversion. The restart was picked up by Sophia just outside her own 22 and she ran through the Crewe defence stepping defenders as she went, touching down under the posts after an 80m run. Sienna added the extra 2 points.

Stafford scored their 8th try of the match when Tori again rounded the defence and dotted down under the posts for Sienna to add the simple conversion. Then against the run of play Stafford did not deal with the re-start and gifted Crewe field position and some strong running from their forwards saw them score a try just under the posts. But Stafford wet straight back at Crewe with some strong carries by Izzy, Lilly and Ava and got in behind the defence they then passed the ball wide for Tori to score her 5th try of the game, Sienna added the extra 2 points. Stafford were now camped in the Crewe half and a strong carry from Izzy looked like it was going to result in a score only for the referee to stop play because of a head knock to Stafford’s Georgia W. However, from the resulting scrum Eve picked from the base and got the Crewe defence on the back foot. Izzy then was on hand at the resulting ruck, she picked from base and crashed over for the last try of the game, Stafford running out comfortable winners 19 – 62.

Stafford were missing a number of key players for this game and also suffered a few injuries during it but other players stepped up, played out of their normal positions and delivered a comfortable win in very muddy and wet conditions. Considering that Crewe had won the fist encounter between the sides at the start of the season to win so convincingly in the away fixture just shows what progress the team has made this year. Well done to everyone but especially to Lilly who deservedly got the Crewe player of the match award, Tori for scoring 5 tries, Georgia W for having her first run out at hooker, Izzy for leading from the front with some dynamic carries and Eve who was tireless and fearless in both attack and defence.

Well done girls and see those not at county training on Tuesday and remember to bring a friend if you can.
Mark