Tamworth 2nd XV made a third trip across the midlands in a row on a very windy afternoon to face a Stoke Development squad currently sitting 2nd in the table. Stoke started fast and with a strong line speed in defence to put Joe Edwards under a lot of early pressure. Tamworth quickly took stock and Edwards soon found success with runners off his shoulder. John Smith controlled the forwards pods well and with slick hands fed the backs clean ball after drawing defenders and Tamworth started to create gaps.

The first real chance came from a set scrum move that saw Smith pick and release Dave Goodwin who drew the first defender and popped Gareth Pemberton through a gap and 1 on 1 with the Stoke fullback. Chipping through Jenson Sharlott was first to the rolling ball but his follow up kick, caught in the strong breeze, curled cruelly back towards the touchline. The Scoring opened shortly after with a debut try out wide for Sharlott, who’s turn of pace was too much for the defending winger and fullback to score in the corner. Tamworth pressed on and it wasn’t long before a few clean breaks found them within 5m of the try line. Stoke’s defence was in scramble mode and Goodwin fed Edwards, who put a quick and long pass out to the blind side to find Pemberton for an easy run in to the corner.

Tamworth’s forwards soon got into a solid defensive rhythm against a predictable Stoke attacking setup around the breakdown. Edwards, Pemberton and Sam Dearne completely nullified the Stokes backs in defence, making their first up tackles against strong runners, often forcing Stoke to clear with the boot. James Sanford and Aaron Andrews countered hard from every Stoke clearance that didn’t find touch, often returning with interest to within 10 meters of the kick point. Stoke were kept under pressure by strong running from Callum Bayliss, Dean Guy, Matt Storer and Joe Bennett tirelessly supported by Simon Sykes, Kyle Snowdon, Ricchie Morris and Dave Yardley. Tamworth had all the momentum throughout the second half and forced Stoke to spend 30+ minutes stuck back in their own half.

The scoring and the game were wrapped up with mazy runs from Sanford who fed Bennett who stepped past and through a number of Stoke defenders to cross the line. Edwards added the extras to bring up a huge 40 point haul away from home.

Captain’s man of the match went to Callum Bayliss.