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Match Report - Stoke v Blackburn
RACHEL Bailey19 Dec 2024 - 20:44
With thanks to Mike Yorke for the Match report.
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Stoke 43 Blackburn 17
Stoke produced their most complete performance of the season to beat Blackburn 43-17, a combination of solid, well organised defence, excellent handling and good lines of running.
Stoke made an excellent start to the game taking a 21-0 lead after thirteen minutes. Good early pressure from Stoke led to a charged down kick in the visitors twenty two. Jamie Loska reacted quickly to pick up the loose ball and race under the posts for the first try. The second try came soon after. A line out was thrown to the back and fed quickly to Joe Maskrey who made a good break into the opposition twenty two, the ball was passed quickly to the left where fullback Will Sant entered the line to score in the corner. Ciaran Shone added an excellent conversion. The third try came after thirteen minutes. Will Sant scoring his second after good carries from Tom Scragg and Jamie Loska. At this point the visitors were able to establish themselves in the game. A spell of good phase play eventually led to the home defence running out with Blackburn scoring in the corner. The visitors continued to press and a spell of pressure pinned Stoke in their twenty two. Blackburn were awarded a penalty which they attempted to kick close to the corner, the ball drifted beyond the corner flag and allowed Stoke to relieve the pressure with a goal line drop out. This proved to be a pivotal moment. From the drop out Stoke were awarded a penalty which enabled them to move to the visitor’s ten metre line for a line out. The ball came off the back and transferred quickly to centre Jamie Loska who found a gap in the defence to score his second and give Stoke a 26-5 lead at half time.
A strong start to the second half saw Stoke pinning Blackburn deep in their own half with man of the match, Jamie Loska, completing his hat trick by breaking through the line to extend the lead to 31-5. The visitors were not giving the game up and had a long spell of possession in the middle phase of the half. The well organised Stoke defence eventually gave way in the twenty fifth minute. In the last ten minutes the game became very open. Stoke regained possession in midfield with Joe Maskrey making a strong break, eventually being tackled in the corner. Scrum half Will Bailey reacted quickly to pick up at the ruck and dive over, squeezing through a tiny gap to score the try. Another try followed soon after. A cross field kick was well taken by Jack Gosling who made good metres, Jack Jameson supported well and showed a good turn of pace to outstrip the defence and score under the posts, Will Sant added the extras to make it 43-10. Blackburn continued to press in the hope of a try bonus point. Their endeavour was rewarded with a third try a couple of minutes before the final whistle which proved to be the last score of the game.
Stoke 43 Blackburn 17
Stoke produced their most complete performance of the season to beat Blackburn 43-17, a combination of solid, well organised defence, excellent handling and good lines of running.
Stoke made an excellent start to the game taking a 21-0 lead after thirteen minutes. Good early pressure from Stoke led to a charged down kick in the visitors twenty two. Jamie Loska reacted quickly to pick up the loose ball and race under the posts for the first try. The second try came soon after. A line out was thrown to the back and fed quickly to Joe Maskrey who made a good break into the opposition twenty two, the ball was passed quickly to the left where fullback Will Sant entered the line to score in the corner. Ciaran Shone added an excellent conversion. The third try came after thirteen minutes. Will Sant scoring his second after good carries from Tom Scragg and Jamie Loska. At this point the visitors were able to establish themselves in the game. A spell of good phase play eventually led to the home defence running out with Blackburn scoring in the corner. The visitors continued to press and a spell of pressure pinned Stoke in their twenty two. Blackburn were awarded a penalty which they attempted to kick close to the corner, the ball drifted beyond the corner flag and allowed Stoke to relieve the pressure with a goal line drop out. This proved to be a pivotal moment. From the drop out Stoke were awarded a penalty which enabled them to move to the visitor’s ten metre line for a line out. The ball came off the back and transferred quickly to centre Jamie Loska who found a gap in the defence to score his second and give Stoke a 26-5 lead at half time.
A strong start to the second half saw Stoke pinning Blackburn deep in their own half with man of the match, Jamie Loska, completing his hat trick by breaking through the line to extend the lead to 31-5. The visitors were not giving the game up and had a long spell of possession in the middle phase of the half. The well organised Stoke defence eventually gave way in the twenty fifth minute. In the last ten minutes the game became very open. Stoke regained possession in midfield with Joe Maskrey making a strong break, eventually being tackled in the corner. Scrum half Will Bailey reacted quickly to pick up at the ruck and dive over, squeezing through a tiny gap to score the try. Another try followed soon after. A cross field kick was well taken by Jack Gosling who made good metres, Jack Jameson supported well and showed a good turn of pace to outstrip the defence and score under the posts, Will Sant added the extras to make it 43-10. Blackburn continued to press in the hope of a try bonus point. Their endeavour was rewarded with a third try a couple of minutes before the final whistle which proved to be the last score of the game.
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