STAFFORD 1st XV travelled to Wigginton Park for the second time this month, hoping to avenge their recent league defeat.
TAMWORTH 1st XV 29 STAFFORD 1st XV 17
But it was not to be and the Castlefields club bowed out of the Staffordshire Cup at the semi-final stage.
Tamworth started the tie with a swirling kick which put Stafford under instant pressure.
The home side managed to keep the visitors pinned in their own half and forced a constant Stafford defence.
And Tamworth momentum was rewarded through a succession of awarded penalties.
Stafford gained an early reprieve when the home side only managed to kick one out of four.
The afternoon continued to dip for the visitors as they were temporarily reduced to 14 men following a yellow card.
Tamworth took full advantage with a converted penalty try to increase their lead.
This seemed to be the kick start the Stafford engine needed as they bullied their way into the Tamworth half for the first time in the match.
The home side could not cope with the fiery play and conceded a penalty which Matty Walklate pushed between the posts to grab the visitor’s first points of the afternoon.
From the restart there appeared to be a new sense of urgency and direction from Stafford as they pounded the opposition, but against the run of play it was Tamworth who broke out to score a try.
Stafford finished the half trailing by 18- 3, but looking dangerous when they were going forward.
The second half soon dissolved into a very physical encounter as both sides looked to establish some kind of rhythm to their play.
Tamworth broke first but they were reduced to14 players, collecting their first yellow card of the game.
The teams grappled backwards and forwards around the pitch, matching each other in their aggressive plays, but another Tamworth breakout resulted in a try.
Stafford’s response was instantaneous as a new purpose surged through the team forcing Tamworth into a hurried defence.
Stafford would not be denied and Tom Williams forced his way across the line for a well-worked try, Chris Metcalfe kicking the conversion.
A Tamworth penalty undid some of the hard work, but driving Stafford play pushed the home side deep back into their own half.
Relentless Stafford pressure resulted in Mark Broomhall squirming his way across the line for another try, Chris Metcalfe making it two from two with the conversion.
A late Tamworth penalty added to their points tally and a place in the final.
Stafford returned home with their pride intact as they took the game to Tamworth in the second half.
Periods of complete commitment and dedicated team play ripped through the opposition, but it fell just short of being enough to win the day.
This Saturday, Stafford visit Spartans (Midlands) in the league (3pm).
