Stafford into final of Intermediate Cup

After a rugged started where both sides battled for possession of the ball, the first try came from a flowing Stafford move.

Jerry Qasenivalu stole the ball and raced in behind the Longton defence before a short pass to Callum Jones was recycled again to Dan Mills, who crashed over the line – converted by Christian Ureche.

Both sides were reduced to 14 shortly after when a scuffle saw a player for both sides receive a yellow card – before Longton responded with an unconverted try.

Minutes after the two sinbinned players returned to the field, Longton were again reduced to 14 and Stafford took advantage.

They spurned a handful of penalty opportunities for attacking lineouts and it paid dividends when Callum Jones powered home a try, converted by Ureche. Qasenivalu then got a try of his own, converted by Ureche, to give Stafford a 21-5 half-time lead.

After the break, Carl Williams crossed the line for a Stafford try, again converted by Ureche, before Longton battled back.

With all sinbins served, they scored two tries of their own to put the pressure on Stafford – who were again reduced to 14 with another yellow card in the last 10 minutes of the game.

But Stafford stood firm and Jones picked up his second and third try of the game – one of which was converted by Mills – to close out the game and secure the 40-22 victory.

Stafford face Leek in the cup final on April 26.