Stafford 29 Vs 12 Sutton Coldfield

Another league game and after a good week of training it was nice to be greeted by a busy home ground, bright sunshine and although it was a pitch almost devoid of grass, it was dry and took a stud.
Stafford would play with the slight wind (that was mainly across the pitch) and into the sun first half, against an opponent who we beat away earlier in the season in a tight but entertaining game. This would be just the same.
The game started quite conservatively considering the last couple of games the Colts have played in, however the energy from both sides was high and turnovers by Danail and Harry C made sure that the territory and possession was being won by the home team. Whenever Sutton did kick to clear, Freddie took it clean and put it back with purpose either in the air or on foot.
In tight, Stafford were also causing problems, Ethan catching folk behind the gain line, while Jonah and Danail also got through hard work at the breakdown.
Stafford looked dangerous when the ball got wide and it seemed that the half breaks may be capitalised on if the players kept playing as a team. The defence was also good with Jude and Ellis making half breaks but also snuffing out the opposition half breaks when returned.
As Sutton made ground a potential overlap was almost intercepted by Jolame but the resulting scrum was taken against the head by Harry C and Morgan spiralled a lovely kick to the halfway. Despite the ball being returned by the opposite full back, Morgan put an even better one behind the covering defence and Stafford were in the opposition 22.
Unfortunately despite the good position, a knock on allowed Sutton to clear, Stafford though were also comfortable in sorting out their own clearances and although there had been an enforced early change at 10, Harry W cleared, the kick bounced as only a rugby ball can and the on rushing Finn Collins, picked up the loose ball, made use of his pace and ran clear to open the scoring (5-0)
From the kick-off, Danail carried as did Ed and Farai , Ethan continued the push and popped to Finn who linked with Ellis, the ball not quite sticking but the offloads and movement throughout the team was providing not only good ball movement but also helping all those playing with a team confidence.
Sutton would clear their lines and Freddie took it yet again cleanly, the tackle on him though saw his legs go through the vertical and it was a surprise that only a penalty was given. Thankfully and most importantly he was ok to continue.
There was a further penalty and Stafford nudged towards the 22, and despite being turned over, Harry C snuffed out the Sutton move by stealing the ball back, allowing for a break by the forwards to be moved wide to Ethan who popped to Finn, his pace continued the break and despite being tackled short, he kept the ball alive and Jude popped up to score in the corner to increase the lead. (10-0)
Stafford were playing really well in all facets of the game and as the halftime whistle neared, a backs move off a lineout made the centres split and a huge hole saw Jude go through and the centre backed himself to score under the posts (17-0 HW conv)
Into the second half and although Ethan and Oli popped up with some big tackles, the early possession was all the visitors who would score from a lineout, their bigger players out muscling the Stafford backs. (17-7)
The game returned to the cat and mouse, kick and chase with Freddie and Ellis taking everything clean in the backfield and Morgan and Harry W putting it back with interest. Farai, Logan and Ethan were making the tackles and eventually after James had carried strongly , Stafford had a lineout in a decent position, a flat ball from Dylan allowed the backs to get moving, Harry W popped a 1-2 with Morgan and set Leon through a gap, his line was on point and if Ellis was 6ft4 instead of 5ft4 he would have taken it in stride, instead the winger managed to get his foot on it, his second follow up kick , had the dreaded rugby ball bounce and went out 5 metres short of the line, when it looked for certain that he would score. It did however show the pace and precision that our backs are starting to develop.
Stafford again pressed and came up just short through Morgan , Finn and Mason, eventually the ball was knocked on and the visitors cleared. Half breaks by Jolame and Freddie almost got the Colts through but it wasn’t quite there, as Sutton tackled well. Despite the turnover and some movement by Sutton , Jonah was on hand to tackle and carry the ball back in the home teams favour. Eventually a clever kick from Elijah, saw it sit up for him to regather and despite a good covering tackle from the Sutton 15, he popped it up to the supporting Harry W to score under the posts and add the 2. (24-7)
Suttons heads didn’t drop and a couple of penalties moved them straight down the pitch eventually despite tackles from Mason and Farai , the visitors would get their second to close the gap. (24-12)
From the kick-off the visitors continued a push and although down by two scores, the next try would probably either seal the game for the home team or leave a squeaky last five minutes. Thankfully a block by Ethan , a tackle by Farai and a solid scrum gave Stafford good field position. A penalty was given shortly after and was nudged to the 22.
From the lineout , hands, off loads and sensible decisions saw Marley get into space and put his foot down to score in the corner and almost close out the game (29-12)
Sutton though with time ticking by, had one last push, only for Danail and Jonah to cause enough chaos at the breakdown , that the home team would be awarded a penalty and the ball would be kicked out to finish the game.
It was a great team performance and I thought that it was arguably better than the week before. We looked solid in defence, quick in attack and everyone played for each other.
So with only a handful of games left, we move on to another good week of training and a home game against Newport.
MOTM was Ethan who had his best game of the season, and Defensive MOTM was Finn who was everywhere.
But it wasn’t just a good day for the Colts, a big shout out to the Panthers who retained the cup and to the club which was full of folks enjoying some great rugby and the lovely spring afternoon. This is what Sunday afternoons is all about.