Stafford 17 vs Wolverhampton 14 (Cup Final)

With the original venue (Stoke) unavailable due to the terrible weather and various other locations, dates and time unplayable, it was credit to Stafford to offer Blackberry Lane, the county to except the venue and Wolves to agree to play at our ground ( although it is a ground they recently were successful at during the league phase).
The set up for today couldn’t have been written any better. The top two teams from the division. The opposition, the only team to have beaten our Terriers in the league in a close fought game. Both teams with injuries to first choice players. Then add in that Wolves sadly lost their club president recently. Oh, and did I mention it’s the first/last chance of silverware at youth grade level for both teams.
So, to the morning of the game, a breeze blowing length ways along the pitch, the light cloud cover breaking to release a warm bright unseasonable sunshine and a referee and linesmen wired up for sound. The final would be a go, and our Terriers were cheered onto the pitch by the junior section and all those present.
From kick off Stafford played into the sun and it was pleasing that they fielded the ball well and Jude made good ground. Stafford were awarded an early penalty but missed touch, this provided Wolves the chance to counter and after a series of phases they were eventually held up over the line by Harry W.
Stafford would soon regain territory when Alfie made a great break, fed Leon and the Terriers were up to halfway. It was clear from only a few minutes in that this was going to be a tight affair. At the first couple of scrums Stafford had the edge and won the ball against the head which led to positive attacks from Oscar, Alfie and Jake only for penalties at the breakdown to push the team back.
Sadly, after only 7 minutes Jude was injured after a strong carry and the centre who has been in great form this season would leave the field. Stafford continued to carry hard and were now in the opposition 22 and looked threatening only to turn the ball over. Wolves cleared to halfway and Harry W saw the opportunity to take the lineout quickly to Connor, the winger carrying back towards the Wolves 22 and offloading to Carta. The replacement centre carried strong and a tip tackle on him gave Stafford the opportunity to open the scoring and Wolves their first yellow card of the game. Harry W looked to have struck it well but hit the inside of the post and the ball stayed out, the score remaining 0-0.
Wolves managed to clear and after Stafford conceded possession it was the Terriers turn to back their defensive strength. Big tackles from Jack, Finn and Carta all repelled Wolverhampton attacks causing them to cross kick which was seen into touch.
After a penalty was awarded to Stafford Harry H looked to go quickly and fed Dexter who carried , jinked and dummied his way to halfway. Hands from the backs almost released Finn who got into the Wolves 22. Stafford were knocking on the door and the forwards came close but were held up over the line. The pressure was telling and the goal line dropout went straight to touch, the result was a scrum 5 metres out. At this age group the scrum can only go 1.5m, my guess is that without this rule (and it is there for players safety), Stafford would have probably driven over. Instead, the forwards picked, recycled and hands from the backs saw the ball go wide. This time Harry W was held up over the line by two defenders. Stafford were turning the screw and after Connor and Oli returned the ball back into the 22, Matty would eventually cross the line to open the scoring (7-0 Harry W conv).
From the restart Dexter and Finn carried well from deep to relieve the pressure but Wolves responded with some excellent rucking and Stafford were under pressure deep in their own half. After conceding a scrum Wolves would go wide and Staffords backs were to slow to close the gaps. Wolves would score to level the game 7-7 at halftime.
It was time for all at Blackberry Lane to get their breath after a pulsating and nervy first half, little did we know what would come next.
The second half would see Stafford with the wind and the sun at their backs. Wolves however would start the better and a clean break by the Wolves centre saw a one on one with the fullback, Harry W did enough to slow the player down and Leon finished the tackle off. Wolves continued the pressure and eventually the away team were awarded a penalty which they opted to kick. The kick missed and Stafford rather than touching the ball down decided to run it out. Yes, we have seen this team go coast to coast this season, but the final is a different matter and Stafford conceded another penalty. Stafford would again show up big in defence and kept the attacks out, however they would concede three penalties and the pressure would continue to build.
Wolves would go quick, from a penalty five metres out and Danny would put in a great tackle, however the hooker hadn’t retreated enough, and it was deemed to be a yellow card from the referee.
As Wolves opted to run again, Stafford through Matty managed to turn the ball over, but he took the ball over the Stafford line and a scrum was awarded to the attacking team 5 metres out. With a man short it was the next phase that Wolves would strike and take the lead. (7-14)
Stafford needed something special to get back into the game and two of the players stepped up big. With a scrum on halfway, Dexter picked and went blind, he stepped inside and passed outside the covering player to Leon, the winger went the rest of the way beating the covering defenders for pace, not only did he cross the line, but he had the right mindset in the moment to go under the sticks. (14-14 Harry W conv).
Wolves came straight back and after a penalty was awarded near the halfway they went quick and kicked deep into the corner Harry W covered the kick but was bundled into touch. At the line out, Stafford did well to turn over the ball and after foul play, Wolves received another yellow card and Stafford further released the pressure. A good kick saw Stafford move to just outside the 22, Finn then carried well from the wing and Joe made a break covering ground, the prop was stopped by a high tackle, but his reaction would lead to a reverse of the decision and a yellow card for the prop.
With the time ticking away and the game all square, both teams with 14, and both teams giving little away it was anyone’s game, Stafford after good team play would be awarded a penalty, fairly central and just outside the 22. Harry H opted for goal and Harry W who even despite a Wolves player charging the kick, struck the ball cleanly through the uprights for the slimmest of leads (17-14).
The game still had enough time on the clock to cause everyone’s heart rates to go up a few more notches. Wolves were pushing for something and a break down the wing saw Harry W as the last man to make a tackle (and break his thumb), Matty was first in and turned over the ball, Oscar put his foot through the ball and the line was cleared.
The last couple of minutes I like everyone else hoped for the best, every tackle cheered, every attack repelled, the only thing I wrote was Jake tackle, Jake tackle , 22 Jake tackle.
The ball was Staffords, and the final whistle was sounded. Our Terriers had done it. Players, coaches and parents all celebrated, credit to the Wolves players and staff who despite the defeat held their heads high and certainly deserved great respect for a hard fought battle, but it was our Terriers day.
My quick hits :
Despite Yellow cards, early injuries to Alfie and Jude and first choice players out, this team, its ethics of hard work and sticking together was not only up to the high levels we hope for, but they produced a team performance at the most critical moments.
This ethic spreads not just across the game day team but across the whole squad. It was great to see a dozen or so players not involved today down, supporting, cheering and encouraging their friends on.
MOTMs is really difficult as all 20 deserve it. In particular though, the following three had massive games.
Dexter – immense in the lineout, tough in the tackle and carry, produced a great break and pass to let Leon loose and who knew that he was also a motivational speaker. With the posts being selected, I knew what I was going to say to Harry W, however Dex already had his hands on Harry’s head, was locked in eye contact and I reckon provided all the encouragement and belief that was needed.
Jake – like Dexter, put in a shift and a half, his tackles and carries were all on show, the last five minutes especially, that orange scrum cap was like an Exocet missile, targeting anyone with the ball and making sure that the opposition attacks were cut short.
Harry W – it was a real mix of emotions for the fullback, he was held up over the line and hit the post with his first kick. He also missed a tackle for a try. The mindset though to comeback, knock over two conversions, make two big tackles and then have the coolness to knock over that last penalty before making one last tackle that led to a broken thumb, he did what was required of him (thank goodness we did some extra kicking sessions over the last couple of weeks).
And a big shout out to Captain Fantastic, rarely flustered, always working hard despite looking shattered, doing so much of the grunt work which goes unseen, leading by example and it was great to see the clear emotion as he lifted the cup with a beaming smile.
Finally a big shout out to all the parents, grandparents, friends and supporters who came and made a noise. It really does make a difference and am sure you all enjoyed it as much as the players and coaching team did.
On a personal note, I’d also like to thank Connor for the post match dosing via water bottle, revenge am sure for the fitness sessions !
So, we move on, a couple of months and a number of games left. Let’s finish strong.
Who are We ?