Our last home game as the U16s Terriers, nice then to have a lovely sunny morning to greet the boys.
With 26 lads available all were going to get plenty of game time, especially as Tamworth were a few short, and that’s a great place to start, Tamworth were massively improved from earlier in the season and deserve a lot of credit and they frankly warranted some scores as they never dropped their heads and went about their business the right way, so am glad they made it across and hopefully they can continue next year.
The terriers started off a bit slow in the open but despite this, the scrum as ever were on it and the first one they took against the head. It looked like it would take some front up carries to break the well organised defence and Stafford got this through Tyler, only for a penalty to stop the early drive.
Tamworth was growing into the game and only a big hit by Rich in the centres stopped the away teams progress and put Stafford in a good position. From a scrum shortly after, Stafford went through the hands to the wing, Rory set and beat Declan with good footwork and looked to have scored in the corner, only to drop the ball as he touched it down.
Stafford would continue to find themselves in good positions but a knock on here and a poor pass there kept the score at 0-0.
Eventually the deadlock would be broken, after a penalty out wide, Rich would provide a spark with a strong run and good hands, the work was continued by Harrison E and after a quick recycle the hands to the left were on point and this time Rory would manage to score despite the attentions of three tacklers. (5-0)
From the kick off Stafford looked to open up wide again, this time Declan shut Rory down only for Harrison E to make a super break making around 50 metres, only for the grounding of the ball to be dropped again. Tamworth took the ensuing goal line drop out quickly and the ball went into touch outside the 22. Matty took a quick lineout to Will Vn who made good ground and eventually Elijah would score, which he duely converted. (12-0)
Tamworth kept pushing and a half break was stopped by a good tackle from Elijah and a turnover by the Stafford forwards, the quick ball led to pace and good hands by Oscar and Rich in the centres and Rory again had room to make further ground. The ball was kept alive and James was on hand to score his first try. (17-0)
Stafford were making plenty of breaks, a show and go from Will Vn opened a gap for Dex to make yards but ball security wasn’t good and suddenly Carta (playing for Tamworth) saw the space open up. The centre stepped and accelerated through and looked certain to score but a fantastic tackle by Fraser (similar to Dupont on the Irish wing last season), kept the visitors at 0. Oli and Oscar would then make breaks and eventually following good continuity the opportunity would open up close to the Tamworth line and Tyler would power over to close out the half. (22-0)
With 8 subs at half time, Stafford looked to push on, good hands would release Finn who made a half break, his good work was continued by Oli and Carter, Stafford were now close to the Tamworth line, Dylan had a snipe from 9 and was stopped just short, the ball retention was good and Matty would burrow over from short range. (29-0 Elijah conv)
Stafford continued to push straight from the restart, Finn set his opposite number and passed to Owen (making his debut on the wing), he then returned the ball to Finn, who returned it back and the pair made really good ground into the Tamworth half. Despite a knock on, the ball would soon be back in the Stafford hands as the pack won the ball against the head and after good hands, Dex would score (36-0 Elijah conv)
The Terriers thought they had scored again shortly after the restart after breaks from Finn and Oli , only for a forward pass to prevent the scoreboard ticking on.
Staffords defence was performing well and snuffed out a Tamworth attack by tackling Rory (now playing for Tamworth) into touch. Mason took a short line out and Carter continued the forward propulsion. The ball was then moved quickly from the right to the left wing where Finn stepped and accelerated through on the angle and scored a well deserved try. (43-0 Elijah conv)
Some of the players were clearly enjoying themselves, Mason was back to throwing dummies, Harry W was goose stepping, Elijah was putting in wide passes and both wings were seeing the ball.
A final break by Oli saw Stafford make great ground, and simple hands through the back line saw Owen get a simple dot down to score on debut. (48-0)
The final whistle would sound shortly after, and it was great way to sign off this season's home fixtures.
Tamworth played their part in the fixture and it was good to see them come away with plenty of positives, even if the score line didn’t reflect their efforts. Even more pleasing was seeing players get plenty of game time, Owen getting a debut and a try, the return of Finn after injury and the continued progress of James.
So , on we go to Stoke, am sure with plenty of players wanting to sign off in style.
And finally, a huge thank you to Colin our ref for today but also our home ref for the past couple of seasons. He has provided an invaluable service over the last few years and has also helped out with entertaining us on tours and provided some drivers with some interesting views!
As he retires his cards and whistle, all the Terriers family give their thanks.
Now let's finish strong and get the job done on Sunday.