Stafford 49 vs Burton 12

So, the semi-final was here, the team trained well on Thursday and the players were clearly focused during the warmup not that they would need much of reason to be up for this match as a) It’s a home game, b) It’s a semi-final and c) the opponents are Burton.
With a dry and mild morning but with a strong cross wind, it meant an even playing field on the AGP. From kickoff Burton went deep left with the wind, Leon collected and returned with interest into the the Burton half. Despite a knock on by the home team and an early scrum to Burton, the pressure in the next couple of phases by the Terriers defence caused the visitors to give away a penalty which Will B duly knocked over for a 3-0 lead.
Burton again kicked deep and when Stafford restarted with a quick lineout and tried to run the ball out they conceded a penalty close to their line. Burton knocked on the door and would eventually score (3-7).
From the restart Stafford applied pressure and kept the ball along with the Burton player up to turn the ball over. After a clean scrum, Alfie went blind and made it within the Burton 22. Stafford went wide and good defence forced Leon into touch. From the lineout Stafford disrupted the Burton half backs and were awarded a scrum 5 out. The scrum held again, and Alfie picked again, this time powering over the line (8-7).
Burton would kick again deep left at the restart, but the field was reversed after carries by Dex and Jake. With Burton on the back foot, they conceded a penalty near their 22. Stafford moved the ball well rather than kicking and this paid dividends as Connor finished backs move off on the left. (13-7).
The restart was taken clean (deep left) and the forwards punched the ball out of the 22. As Stafford looked to go wide once again, a man and ball pass led to a turnover. Burton used the large blindside well as the Stafford defence went open. Clean hands and Burton had reduced the gap (13-12).
It was becoming a really physical match, but Stafford looked to have the edge. A penalty to the home team was kicked to the corner and gave the Terriers good field position. The lineout was lost, however a knock on gave Stafford a scrum 5 metres out. Like before the scrum provided a great platform and Alfie again smashed through to extend the lead again. (20-12 Will B conv).
Stafford needed to keep the defensive pressure up and to keep it tight, after a free kick was conceded for going up at the lineout early, Burton tapped and went wide, Jude however read the situation brilliantly and not only stopped the attack but turned the ball over and fed Connor, the wing beat two players and looked like he would go the length of the pitch only for a collar tackle to prevent him going any further. Despite the penalty, Stafford could not convert the pressure into any more points.
Burton would move the ball up the pitch and a quick tap put Stafford on the back foot , but at the next breakdown Tyler got over the ball and was awarded a penalty in the Stafford half. Will B saw space and took the penalty quickly, passed the ball out to Jude, in the centre who showed great pace and went in from 60 out. (27-12)
The Terriers were on the front foot and wanted another try before half time and the forwards/half backs went to work. Alfie, Dylan, Danail and Jonah punched big holes through the defensive line which would lead to quick, clean ball and Will B went thru to extend the lead before half time. It was a great team try, with a mix of patience, power and heads up rugby. (32-12)
The terriers started the second half the same way they finished the first with Will B carrying hard, and the defence led by Carta and Matty putting in some big hits, with the latter turning the ball over. Oli, Jake and Rich all joined in the action with all putting in tackles and carries to prevent Burton from gaining any foothold.
The result was Burton reverting to kicking away, the ball was fielded by Harry who straightened, fed Dex who linked with Leon only for the winger to be stopped short.
Although Burton managed to clear their lines from the lineout, they soon gave away a penalty on the half way. Will using the wind kicked well to the 22 and from the lineout, Danail (who was in at 9), smashed through a hole in the middle of the lineout, Jack and Jake continued the momentum and Danail, back at the ruck finished off for the first score of the second half. (37-12)
Every time Burton looked to get into Stafford territory, the Terriers would push back and another big carry from Danail moved the ball back into the Burton half. Burton instead of kicking tried to run it out of their half, Jude again put in a big hit, the ball was turned over and hands from Dex and Connor put Carta in for a further score. (42-12)
Stafford weren’t done and as Burton kept trying to generate a score, the Stafford defence held firm forcing the away team to kick. The ball was kicked in behind and into space but fielded again by Harry, his carry turned the defence and a penalty was awarded which Stafford through Wills boot again went to the corner. It looked as if Stafford were going to score again but a forward pass denied them more points.
With time ticking by, Burton tried to produce the final score from deep, but Jude again stepped up with the tackle, Carta recycled the ball and quick hands from Dex put Rich away and the winger scored a super try showing good pace. (49-12)
That would be the final score of the game and the players could be happy with a superb morning of work.
All 20 players produced a high level performance in tricky conditions and despite going behind early, put their stamp on the game and never stopped trying to put the game to bed before the final whistle.
MOTM’s is ridiculously difficult this week, the forwards were dominating in attack and defence and all deserve it, the half backs commanded and ran the game plan brilliantly and gave us go forward. The backs finished well and put in big hits to stop Burton going wide. All the coaching group put names forward, in particular Dex and Will B were probably mentioned the most.
Other mentions, to Rich who has suffered from serious injuries over the last few seasons and today was his first try since breaking his leg last season. His hard work to regain confidence and fitness should be applauded.
To all the parents, grandparents, family and friends who came to support provided great support and were in good voice a big thank you as always.
The team ethics and inclusiveness was also on display after the final whistle with a group breakdown including 8-10 players who hadn’t been picked today but came down to support their teammates, that’s what its all about.
So, it’s Tour next week and a weekend in St Albans, enjoy it, but then two weeks after we head to Stokes Ground for the final Vs Wolverhampton. Oh, that’s going to be spicy ! I might have to get a new pad ! But in the mean while, lets focus, reset and build. The jobs not done yet but this was a great start.