STAFFORD 1st XV travelled to a soggy and overcast Castlecroft to do battle with local rivals Wolverhampton in their latest Midlands 2 West (North) encounter.
WOLVERHAMPTON 1st XV 46 STAFFORD 1st XV 14
The visitors were hoping to repeat their home win from earlier in the season but knew that a number of regular players were unavailable, and a strong Wolves side took the spoils.
From the off the home side launched a blistering offensive, racking up three tries in the first quarter.
Stafford started to settle just as the heavens opened and the rain poured down onto an already soft pitch.
The ground conditions become heavier and the ball more greasy in the second quarter and Stafford went close to scoring a number of times, with a held up try and a break away by Vinnie Hogan, but they could not quite convert their efforts into points.
Wolves, however, continued to apply relentless pressure and a number of missed tackles allowed them to build on their lead, scoring another two tries before half time.
A very physical first half saw the home team leading 29-0, but at least the rain had stopped falling.
At the start of the second half Stafford came out with renewed vigour. Early pressure saw them score their first points with a try and conversion from Johnny Watson-Jones.
To the delight of the Stafford supporters, a few minutes later Watson-Jones managed a break away to score once again and he also converted his second try of the afternoon.
For the visiting fans it looked like Stafford was going to stage a comeback, but unfortunately it was not to be.
Even though Stafford continued to apply pressure the home side again continued to run points in, scoring another three tries.
But Stafford were still not beaten and the visiting forwards really settled into their game and finished the match winning a series of driving scrums.
Unfortunately strong defence by the home side kept the visitors just short of the line time after time.
It was an afternoon of rugby that saw Stafford keep battling on till the very end against both a strong defence and the conditions.
On Saturday, Stafford are on the road again, visiting Aston OE (3pm).
