Home win for seniors

Wrexham run riot over Stafford

On Wrexham’s second game of their pre-season, a dominant display saw them triumph against Stafford. A sunny Saturday afternoon with temperatures at 21 degrees, ideal for open rugby, gave Wrexham their final opportunity at home to implement their new playing regime. The visitors, who have a close relationship having played each other for the past 5 years, brought a mix of seniors and colts making their first appearances.

Score was opened on 5 minutes with a well worked line out in the corner and a carry-over from front row duo Mike Moore led by his half-sibling Aaron Hughes. The 15-metre conversion slotted nicely in by starting outside centre Cillian Paget. Straight from the restart Wrexham missed the opportunity to score a second when a loose pass was interpreted as a knock on which would have put stand-off Jacob Hughes under the posts. The next 10 minutes saw Wrexham retain possession and work their way up the pitch, however handling errors saw Stafford exit their 22 nicely after a bout of pressure. A Wrexham lineout on the half way followed by some slick hands from man of the match Ollie Dodd and Cillian Paget saw Dodd under the posts and a second conversion by Paget. Wrexham’s third try came in the form of a set piece off the back of a lineout with a walk over from front row and vice-captain, Jamie Weston. Paget adding the extra points to make it 21-0 at the end of the first period.

Wrexham made 10 changes starting the second where there was more of an even battle as Wrexham’s replacements tried to find their feet. A crunching tackle by a returning Blake Turner saw the game stopped for a few minutes whilst Stafford’s second row had some wind put back into him. A series of line-outs and scrums ensued until Wrexham, through some open play, went under the posts through veteran Scott Davies. Paget again adding the 2. Wrexham’s scrummaging was dominant through locks Rob Moore and Jay Andrews with regular Christian Burgoyne resting a swollen bicep. Some good phases were put together from the following kick off when Jack Harrison making only his second senior appearance ran over 60 metres down the wing, seeing off the fullback and diving over to score. Paget remained on 100%. The second period ended 35-0.

The third period saw Wrexham 2nds top try scorer Tom Williams return the field after a summer of ultimate frisbee. Stafford earned their first points of the game when a soft penalty by the usually law-abiding Keir Harding was booted deep into Wrexham territory. From the driving maul, seasoned hooker Ben Price scored however Junior Colt Lewis Cantrill couldn’t make the conversion, pushing the ball wide. Some loose play followed, Stafford looking the stronger outfit and Wrexham endured some good pressure which saw Stafford win a host of line outs. Pressure remained upon the home team who couldn’t get out of their 22 until the final kick to touch from Nathan Kaitani cleared but also saw an end to the third period with the score at 35-5.

Period 4 saw the majority of the starting team return, within a minute Weston was over for his second in the corner following some well worked pick and go’s. Paget keeping his tally on track. Some lovely hands right from the restart saw Jacob Hughes and Nick Dodd down the wing only to be butchered by Dodd stabbing the ball into touch. Wrexham stole the following lineout through Andrews and veteran Mike Moore crossed from a maul for his second. Paget remained on form. A period of pressure from the next restart saw the home team camped in their 22 until Jacob Hughes, with some sensual footwork, broke the line and played in Dodd again who set up Italian exchange student Vittorio DeRosa for a sprint into the corner. Paget’s unblemished record was finally too much as his conversion from the far touchline fell short.

Another sustained period of pressure saw Wrexham exit their 22 though another break in the line from Hughes putting in Scott Davies who ran in from the half bumping off the 15 on his way. Cillian returned to form with the added 2 points. The final 5 minutes of the fourth period saw player/coach Troy Roberts leading by example knocking over his opposite number before selflessly putting his brother-in-law Hughes under the posts with Paget slotting a drop goal conversion to finish the game 68 - 5. Following the game Dr. Matt Evans commented, “It’s important to have gotten our first win out of the way and not letting Stafford over our line is a bonus” only to be reminded they had scored a try! “We’ll take what we achieved today and take this momentum into the midweek”. Wrexham next play away at Cae Ddol facing Division 1 Ruthin RFC in an evening fixture.