Stafford welcomed high flying Sutton Coldfield to the County Ground for the final league game of the year. The visitors were having a spotless season with eleven wins out of eleven and no other teams managing to match their dominance on the pitch. In contrast Stafford were still desperately searching for some continuity, endlessly hamstrung by injuries and lack of availability. However, the County Town team continued to call on its pool of talented younger players with Dylan Shrehorn and Kayden Robinson the latest to make their first team debut. Stafford were looking to contain the flying visitors and come away with a better scoreline than the 57 – 7 loss which they endured back in September.

The weather wasn’t being kind for the final match of the year and Stafford kicked off with the advantage of a cruelly gusting wind. Some early physical hits echoed around the ground as both teams fought for a foothold. Stafford won the initial battle and could have taken the lead, but a kickable penalty couldn’t find its way through the uprights. Sutton responded with some devastating open play which combined deft hands and scything runs to take the first try of the afternoon. Stafford continued to give a good account of themselves and were matching the ferocity of the opposition game. However, when Sutton clicked into gear the attack created havoc in a brave defence and two subsequent tries soon followed. A couple of knocks saw the Blackberry Lane XV calling on the bench, but it didn’t affect the indomitable defiance that was being shown on the pitch. Slowly dragging the momentum around it was the home side who were starting to make inroads. Jerry Qasenivalu ripped through the previously composed Sutton and only some scrambling hands prevented Cooper Purvis from carrying the ball across. With the clubhouse urging them on Stafford showcased some crisp passing of their own for Connor McCulloch to cross for a try which he then converted. The period didn’t get much better for the visitors when continuing infringements earnt them a yellow card to reduce them to fourteen for a ten-minute period. Stafford went into half time trailing 7 – 19 against a typical display from the top of the league side.

The County Town team came into the second half with the wounds from the first half visibly patched together with fresh tape. The bench was fairly empty as some knocks had taken players out of the afternoon’s proceedings and left others at way below par. Sutton struck first as they tore into the settling home side to take their bonus point try. Stafford wouldn’t lie down and built some good phases of play which threatened the opposition line. The advantage was ripped away when a prowling defender cruelly intercepted a flying ball and tore away for another visiting try. Although Sutton took a further two tries, they were made to work hard for them as Stafford contested every inch of their home territory. The game dwindled into a slight stalemate with a stubborn Stafford defence starting to smother everything thrown at it until eventually the referees whistle signalled an end to a brave demonstration of endurance.

Next 1st XV Match: Saturday 4th January vs Newport (Salop) 2nd XV, Away. K.O. 14:15.