Stafford 19 Vs 20 Wolverhampton

Sunday’s semifinal was a bruising encounter that was settled by the finest of margins. Players left everything and more out on the pitch and the result could have gone either way.
Wolves came to the ground with clearly the more physical team but Stafford were ready to show that size doesn’t always matter, big early tackles from Connor, Danail and Jonah set out the stall early and when the visitors did break through, Ashton held the ball up well over the line to allow some respite. But it wasn’t all about defence, Marley made a great break to get Stafford on the front foot and Jake made a great read for an intercept that led to good field position after a high tackle but points for both teams were lacking.
The high speed defence started to give away penalties as the players eagerness to get into the faces of the Wolves ball carriers led to a number of penalties and eventually the Ref had seen enough and Morgan received a yellow card, from the resulting penalty, Wolves would kick and take the lead. (0-3)
Wolves tried to gain further advantage after a penalty in midfield but a missed kick to touch allowed Marley and Freddie time and space to take the ball back with interest. From the recycle, the ball was moved wide to Finn who beat a couple of players to open the Stafford account (7-3 Elijah conv).
Stafford were in the ascendancy and through good defence the turnovers started to come, through hard tackles by Jake, Leon and Ed Austin any attacks were thwarted, and Stafford again moved the ball. Following a number of phases and good patient build up play, a gap would open up and Mason would go through to increase the lead. (12-3).
It was looking good for the Colts as Oli, Jude and James all carried and tackled big before the break to keep the Colts ahead.
The second half started as the first had ended with the visitors carrying big and the hosts defending well. Eventually there was to many players committed to the breakdown and Wolves went wide, this time scoring it the corner (12-8).
They would take the lead shortly after following a kick that made ground, but it is only as good as the chase, this time the gaps were exploited, and Wolves were back in the lead (12-15).
With a number of injuries taking its toll on both sides, the game had lost its flow slightly and Stafford were looking for someone to get that momentum back. Through carries by Connor and Finn they gained some front foot ball, Elijah kicked over the top and although slightly blocked, the ball sat up for Jude to race onto and go between the posts. (19-15 Elijah conv).
Unfortunately, as time ticked by Wolves would be awarded another free kick at the scrum and would punish the defence to take a one-point advantage. (19-20)
Stafford weren’t done and credit the lads that their heads didn’t drop, Morgan made a great read at a scrum and went blind and it looked like Fraser would be put away only for a Wolves hand to knock the ball away, unfortunately the Ref didn’t see it and Wolves would get the possession and reasonable field position. They would then see the game out despite the best efforts of Logan and Harry C to get the ball back, it wasn’t enough.
The effort, bravery and going to the well for each other was definitely on display in a showing that encapsulates everything about this team. Players playing out of position, putting their heads and bodies in any position to stop the opposition, leaving the gas tank on empty but sadly when all said and done it was an accumulation of small errors that would see the Colts bow out at the semifinal stage.
So now it the coaches and players job to pick the heads up, reset the focus and let’s finish the league program and season with as many W’s as possible.