Trentham hosted Stafford at New Inn lane on Sunday and despite the overnight rain the pitch was in good condition in the morning sun. Alfie Hughes arrived with his arm in a cast having broken his hand playing football putting an end to his rugby season. Trentham went through their warm up looking more half asleep than relaxed, much to the consternation of the coaching staff.

Stafford had problems of their own with late cry offs and could only manage 14 players. It was agreed that Trentham would help make the numbers up and Elijah Stone joined their ranks.

Trentham kicked the game off and were soon under pressure as the catcher raced off down the pitch evading two or three tackles before being hauled down 10m short of the line. Trentham regrouped and managed to repel the visitors before finally clearing their lines. Both sides were struggling to retain decent possession with loose passes and knock ons a plenty.

Trentham were first on the score sheet when Ben Mcmillan went on a bullocking run brushing all aside before scoring out wide, the conversion was missed.

Stafford immediately hit back putting the home side under pressure until finally bursting through the back line to score beneath the posts before adding the conversion. Coach Neil administered some stern words to the team about their tackling and rucking or lack of it before the boys returned to the fray.

This seemed to settle the home side and they began to put phases together winning good ball at the breakdown. Ben Twigg was next on the score sheet holding on to an inside pass from Fly half Joel Bezus before cutting through the opposition to score to the left of the posts. Joel added the conversion.

The visitors continued to cause problems with their big centre fending off all attempts to tackle him and causing havoc in the Trentham midfield. Thankfully for the home side he wasn't able to get the ball away cleanly and they turned over possession moving the ball wide to Ben Twigg who rounded his opposition to score his second try. The conversion was missed and Half Time Trentham 17 Stafford 7.

Trentham rang the changes at half time bringing on Connor Cooper, Will Phillips, Nathan, Elijah Stone, Tristian De Jager and Ben Gibson. The second half was more of a one sided affair though Stafford never gave up. Ben Twigg was up first to claim his 3rd try in similar fashion to his second rounding the cover to score in the left corner.

Sullivan Nicely was up next collecting a ball on the left of the park from a Stafford kick before breaking right to out pace everyone one to score under the posts. Joel added the conversion.

Tristian de Jager made some strong carries in the centre but the Stafford midfield held firm and he could not find a way through. His powerful running did however break the gain line and get the team on the front foot allowing the forwards to drive towards the line. Elijah Stone emerging with the ball and crashing over the line to score a converted try.

The visitors were beginning to tire and lost another player through injury. Trentham sent across James Mullaney to join Oliver Walton in making up the Stafford numbers.

Man of the Match Ben Twigg claimed his 4th Try of the game next when fly half Joel Bezus broke left and drew the last man to give him the outside line for another try in the corner, the conversion was missed.

Trentham's forwards were now starting to dominate and the visitors struggled to get out of their own half. Great work from prop Connor Cooper clearing out the opposition at the breakdown allowed Nathan to pick up the ball. He set off down the pitch to power over the line to score a his first try for the home club which was very popular on the touchline. The conversion fell just short.

Sullivan Nicely rounded the game off with his second try of the game which was duly converted by Joel. An impressive performance in many ways but littered with too many errors and some poor decision making. Credit to Stafford who never gave up and stuck with it to the end.

Final score Trentham 53 Stafford 7 Tries; Ben Mcmillan, Ben Twigg (4), Sullivan Nicely (2), Elijah Stone, Nathan. Conversions: Joel Bezus (4). Man of the Match - Ben Twigg.