Stafford u16 roses travelled to Kings Norton for a friendly fixture against a side comprising girls from
local clubs from the Worcester and Gloucester area plus girls from Kings Norton. Stafford were also
joined by 5 girls from Shrewsbury which meant both sides had good numbers and a large bench.
The game started and Stafford were quickly into the opposition half. When the ball broke free just
outside of the 22 Tori gathered the ball and dashed over for the first try after 90 seconds. Three
counties (3C’s) had no real answer to the pace out wide that Stafford possessed and whilst they
tackled well in mid field when the ball was worked into the wide channels Stafford scored. The backs
scoring all of the Stafford tries in the first half with Tori getting 3, Sophia and Elvina getting one each
and Lilly from Shrewsbury getting one as well. Connie converting 5 of the first half tries. The score
at half time was 40 – 0.
Rather than call the game off because of the score line it was decided to continue to play in the 2nd
half as 3C’s were a mixed team anyway and it was all about match experience, plus the 3C’s girls
seemed to be enjoying the game. However, it was decided to play uncontested scrums as the
Stafford scrum had won several against the head and it would allow 3C’s to have more possession.
So there was a bit more defending for the Stafford girls to do in the 2nd half but the straight running
from the Stafford forwards drew in the defenders so the backs had the space outside to exploit. Tori
running in 3 more tries but forwards Tink and Esmee also contributed with tries.
Final score was 71– 0 to Stafford.
It is always difficult for teams that don’t train together to have any structure or continuity of play
having to rely on individuals to make plays rather than the team. This game showed that Stafford
had structure and continuity between forwards and backs. The forwards drove into the heart of the
3C’s defence with the ball carries Beth, Lily, Peggy and Tink. The back row secured the ball at the
ruck and Olivia and Connie spun the ball down the line to Tori, Sophia and Elvina to finish the moves
off. It also helps to have a special runner like Tori in the wide channels. The girls from Shrewsbury
seemed to enjoy the game playing at least 50% of the time and the Stafford girls were happy to
spend time on the bench to allow them the much needed match time.
There were some small technical and tactical points that were spotted during the game which we
can work on in training but overall, it was a very impressive team performance from Stafford.
Well done girls and we will see you all at training.
Mark