Sat 11 Sep 2021
Staffordshire Intermediate Cup 1st Round
Uttoxeter 1st XV claimed a victory over Longton 1st XV on their first ever fixture on their newly repositioned and enlarged pitch. The hosts came back from a 17 point deficit to win the fixture with a try in the final play of the match.
After 18 months away from the game, rugby finally returned to grace the hallowed turf at Oldfields. A party atmosphere engulfed the watching throngs as a hard-fought, engaging battle played out on the newly positioned pitch, where the fresh-faced boys of Uttoxeter showed their battle and steel.
In the Staffordshire Intermediate Cup, Uttoxeter faced Midlands 2 rivals Longton, a perrenial powerhouse of local rugby over the years, in front of a raucous crowd. Injuries and missing players left a much-changed, youthful looking Uttoxeter side playing a much larger and more experienced Longton team that was looking to set a marker for their season and potential promotion charge.
Uttoxeter were forced into a late change as newly resigned number 8 Tom Harris failed a late fitness test with the dependable Callum Shaw being called up at late notice.
Coach Donald "Dibble" Hayes, marking his return to the club, started with Nathan Fletcher, Taine Goddard and Sam Woolley in the front row, brothers Tom and Gregor Hayes in the lock, Joel Walkaden, captain Jake Batista and Joe Gorman making up the back row. In the backs, Daz Banton played at scrum half whilst Lewis Bain was at 10. Tom Sherratt and Henry Knox renewed their established partnership in the centres as James Gill, Ben Marshall and the returning Sam Bassett made a mobile, speedy back three. Callum Shaw, Andy Cleare and Mark Springall made up the bench.
Cloud cover and a steady breeze met the teams, with Uttoxeter playing with the wind and slope in the first half. Longton's larger pack pushed Uttoxeter back into their own 22 and a short side move allowed the Longton winger to touch down easily, with a well taken conversion giving the men from the Potteries a 0-7 lead. This lead was short lived however, as James Gill scored an opportunistic try. On the halfway line winger Gill striped the ball from his opposite number and outpacing the cover defence to get the home side back in the game. The conversion from Marshall unfortunately sailed wide, but the boys in orange and black had a foothold in the game, with the score at 5-7. A few changes had to be made on both sides, as G Hayes and Goddard were replaced by Cleare and Shaw, respectively.
Longton continued to press Uttoxeter back and some poor handling, a loose scrum and ill-discipline at the breakdown only assisted Longton's domination of proceedings. Eventually that pressure told, as Longton rolled a scrum forward and dotted down. The conversion was missed, but Longton had stretched their lead to 5-12.
Uttoxeter finally started to push upfield, but again gave away far too many penalties, to which Knox fell victim of the referee's ire and had to spend 10 minutes in the sin bin. Half time came with no further event, and the game firmly in the balance.
A further couple of changes by Coach Hayes at half time saw captain Batista replaced due to suspected concussion by Goddard and winger Bassett rested for Springall.
The second half started much the same as the first half ended with Uttoxeter valiantly trying to push their larger rivals back but giving away far too many penalties and handling errors to have any sort of impact upfield. This led to two quick Longton tries, both from their dominant pack, firstly a fine rolling maul saw the score extend to 5-17, before an equally impressive scrum rumbled over the try line that saw another 5 points added to the Longton total to make the score 5-22, and seemingly out of the home sides reach. Notably, the Longton fly half kicked poorly at the posts, something his side would come to rue. G Hayes valiantly shook off an ankle injury to cover the front row as Woolley nursed an injured shoulder.
Uttoxeter attempted to make a remarkable comeback, inspired by their backs, quick hands and quicker thinking dragging the side back into the game. A bouncing pass behind the attacking line startled the Longton defense, giving Knox the opportunity to gather the ball, hand off a would-be tackler and storm upfield. He beautifully drew the full back before passing inside to the supporting Marshall who flew under the sticks, and in converting his own try, brought the score to 12-22. At this point, the final change was made as Bassett returned to the fray at the expense of the evergreen Gill.
More was to come from the backs as finally the forwards set a platform for them at the scrum. Quick ball from the base allowed Banton to feed Bain at stand off. A step and dummy pass allowed the Scot to tear upfield, rounding defender after defender until the line was at his mercy. Excruciatingly, his charge was ended prematurely, as a covering defender caught the 10 high and the referee finished the job that Bain had started, running under the posts to award a penalty try, 19-22. The Longton winger was subsequently sent to the sin bin for what would be the remainder of the game.
Uttoxeter pressed the Longton defense to no avail as the clock wore down, and it was Longton who seemed the more likely to score as they rumbled towards the Uttoxeter try line. But one pick-and-go too many saw a penalty conceded for holding on at the ruck and Knox wasted no time. Picking up the ball and taking a quick tap, Knox weaved his way upfield through the tiring Longton defense, before hacking forward for the lightning Springall to chase. The Longton defense did well to cover but eventually lost the ball in the turn over. Uttoxeter spread the ball wide to Marshall, who made for the corner before stepping back inside to set up a ruck. Two inch perfect passes later, it was Bassett swan-diving into the corner for the lead and a famous Uttoxeter victory. The conversion missed but it was of no matter, the home side had beaten their more affluent rivals 24-22 to progress into the next round of the cup.
A first competitive victory at a new home pitch for a young, gritty and determined side that will look to build on this cup win in their first league game in a fortnight away at Crewe & Nantwich, a much deserved rest awaiting them next Saturday. Next week sees the Uttoxeter 2nd team gear up for their new season with a friendly away to Leek. A big mention today should go to Joel Walkaden, Gregor Hayes and Taine Goddard making their first team debuts in a competitive fixture, showing themselves to be very well-equipped at a senior level.
This was a stirring victory for Uttoxeter, who acquitted themselves well, and they should look to use this form and momentum to overcome the challenges in this new, lofty division.
Report by Jack Conlon
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