Stafford 50 Vs Willenhall 19

With the semi final only a matter of a week away, all the squad are looking at putting their hands up for a place in the 20 and all those players who played on Sunday put “evidence on tape” for the coaches to see against a side who we knew would be physical and who try to destabilise a team mentally too.
Stafford started the first half with a mixed team and with a windy but dry morning ahead of them, those players started with a clean kick off and although this was followed by giving away a penalty, Stafford turned the ball over and Alfie set out on a big run, one of many to gain the early advantage.
Willenhall set up early to cross kick with the wind at their backs, one such kick had a bounce that was so kind to the opposition winger that he was able to canter in untouched for a 0-7 lead. Willenhall were on top and following an attempt by the backs to run the ball out from deep in their own 22 went to ground, a scrum was awarded. Willenhall went blind and scored to open up a 12 pt deficit. (0-12).
Stafford players got together and there was almost an air about them that said, “ok, lets get back to basics, we have this” and with that they went up the field led again by a big carry from Alfie off the back of a scrum that was stopped 5 metres out. Stafford looked threatening and after the visitors conceded a penalty, Will B took a quick tap and the ball went out to Alfie who deservedly crashed over to get Stafford on the board. (5-12).
From the restart Harrison took the ball cleanly and Stafford would start to move back down the pitch, following a scrum, Jake went from 8 and made metres, Harry and Connor went blind and following good recycling and hands, Connor would score to narrow the gap further. (10-12).
Willenhall would target Harrison again from kickoff and again he gathered to give Stafford a platform to work their way back up the field. This time Willenhall would stop Stafford at the midpoint and good hands by them saw Leon have to cover back and make two tackles to prevent them from scoring a further try.
Following clean work by the forwards, the backs went thru the hands with Connor putting Rich into space on the wing, making good ground he was supported well by Jake, Ed and Tyler who all carried with purpose and all were offloading at the right times. One more offload would put Connor into space and we know that he will side step, bounce a tackle or two and from short distance will finish, which he did for his second and the first lead for the home team. (17-12 Will B conv).
Willenhall again pressed before the break and got within 5 of the Stafford line, but great defence from Jack and Tyler prevented the score board moving any further prior to the half time whistle.
With a number of changes, it was Staffords turn to kickoff with the wind at their backs. A lovely high kickoff meant Connor and Leon could pressurise and compete, Connor juggled the ball, stepped in and out before feeding Leon who hit the accelerate button and went in. (24-12 Will B conv).
Credit to Willenhall who came right back and following a scrum on the Stafford 22 got within the 5 metre line from Stafford. A terrific chop tackle from Dex would prevent their first effort but Stafford were unable to prevent the second phase from going over (24-19).
This was starting to look a little like “anything you can do, we can do better” kind of match, however Staffords forwards were getting the upper hand and big carries and recycling from Oli and Danail saw Stafford again in the opposition 22. A scrum was won against the head and the forwards carried to the 5. Two rucks later and a loose pass was picked up by Connor who went by three tacklers to get his hat trick try (31-19 Will B conv).
Stafford were really upping it and in particular Danail and Oli who carried five times between them to set Stafford again in the 22 of Willenhall. As it looked like the forwards were going to go again up close, Dylan called for the ball, found Danail who smashed over for a well deserved try. (38-19 Will B conv).
Stafford again were clean with their exit from the restart and Will B put another kick into the far corner using the wind to his advantage. Following a scrum restart after an unfortunate knock on at the lineout, Willenhall kicked to clear. Harry picked up the loose ball and made yards, the forwards recycled, Dex carried down the middle and after Alfie got the Willenhall defence on the back foot, the ball was played out to Will B who saw the mismatch in front of him and finished off a great try. (43 – 19).
As time ticked on, the scrums were now uncompetitive due to injuries to the visitors. However, the home team wanted more. Jack and Jonah made a couple of big carries, one in particular from Jonah was from a lovely line back inside Will B from 10. The ball was moved through the backs from left to right, Leon hit the line and with players outside him, he dummied and accelerated through the gap to finish under the sticks. As a small disturbance in the back field took the players attention, Leon was quick to get the conversion completed within the time allowed and produced a lovely drop goal conversion to finish the game. (50-19).
It was a good overall performance from the team with some players really stepping up in all facets of the game.
Will B kicked well throughout the game and it kept Willenhall pinned back in their own half at key points in the second half. He also dialled up plays on the hoof, bringing players around him at various angles.
Jonah as always was a big presence and along with Danial were here there and everywhere.
Connor and Alfie also did well communicating with and encouraging their teammates when Willenhall took and extended the lead. It was good to see the maturity of those two players.
MOTMs this week, from the forwards it was Oli, his carries and go forward were massive and punched big holes time after time, his little inside lines have certainly come on leaps and bounds over the past few weeks.
For the backs, hard to look further than the hat trick man, considering Connor wasn’t sure about moving to the wing, he’s now hunting for work and gaining tries and also big yards.
So, we move on to the semi final, I would hope being a home fixture that whether you are picked or not that everyone comes down on Sunday to support the team. The louder we can make it, the better. But remember TREDS, this game is about respect, we don’t jeer the opposition or laugh at injuries, and when our players make mistakes, we lift them up and encourage them to put it behind them and move forward, not put them down. For as much as this is a team game, that pitch can be a lonely place and everyone plays a part in supporting each other. Bring on Burton.