Staffordshire Stallions 32 - 6 Sheffield Hallam Warriors

The new-look Staffordshire Stallions began their new season by limping to a 36-6 defeat at the hands of the Sheffield Hallam Warriors at the weekend.

High expectations are set for this Staffs team, as the previous year’s side went undefeated in the regular season. Several keys players have since moved on, and it painfully showed as the Stallions were regularly beaten and torn apart by a more ruthless and disciplined side.

The Stallions won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball from the opening kickoff.

The Stallions’ offence fielded eight new starters and found some early success on their opening drive - first year running back Tyler King kept moving the chains to the Warriors 30 yard line.

The drive stalled, and a fourth down Stallions field goal attempt was blocked. Sheffield took over on their own 38. Tough defensive stands by either side rendered the first quarter a battle of punting and poor field position.

The second quarter began the demise of the Stallions defence. The Warriors quirky “double-wing” formation opened up running room for Sheffield’s bull-dozing fullback, whose 35-yard touchdown run, followed by two-point conversion, gave the visitors an 8-0 lead.

The Stallions offence sparked into life, marching down the field before for quarterback Ryan Stewart fumbled the ball after a botched snap. The Warriors recovered and soon capitalised on the turnover with quarterback David Saul scrambling home a 10 yard score in the dying embers of the half. Another two-point conversion saw the visitors go into the break 16-0 to the good.

Sheffield took over at their own 30 to begin the second half, and behind a large offensive line and the trickery and misdirection of the gimmicky “double-wing” formation quickly drove downfield. The fleet-footed signal-caller Saul scored on a broken play from 22 yards out. A third 2pt conversion saw the Stallions go 26-0 down midway through the third quarter.

The Stallions had not quite surrendered yet, responding on the next drive. Quarterback Ryan Stewart’s strong passing arm and the speed of the new-look running attack, Staffs fired the ball into the Warriors red-zone. Stewart rolled out of the pocket and found second-year wide receiver Gareth Evans in the corner for the Stallions first score of the year. Down by such a margin, a two-point try was attempted but well-defended, leaving the score at 26-6.


A special teams mistake led to a Stallions safety, falling to 28-6. With injuries decimating the defensive line, a makeshift front four were easily carved up by Sheffield’s ground attack. The remaining 5 minutes of play led to Sheffield inevitably and eventually scoring on the last play of the game, with the final score a disappointing 32-6 to the visitors.

“Ten great gifts to make the world just a tiny bit better”

If you are looking to escape the soulless materialism and commercialisation of Christmas, or if you are just a lovely generous person, then look no further than our handy guide to Christmas gift-buying. Scouring the market for a range of excellent products, our selection of Green, Charity and Fair-Trade presents will make giving feel extra good!

Prokritee Papier Mache Nativity Set – The true meaning of Christmastime comes to the fore with this beautifully-crafted papier mache Nativity scene. Hand painted in Bangladesh, the set includes the Virgin Mary and Joseph, an angel, three wise men, a donkey, a sheep, and of course, the baby Jesus. The name 'Prokritee' means 'nature' in Bangla. The organisation aims to create employment for disadvantaged rural women.

Fair Trade Christmas Hamper – a deliciously traditional gift selection of a range of Fair Trade Christmas products, including chocolates, nuts, Christmas pudding and cake. Presented in a water hyacinth basket from Mai Handicrafts in Vietnam. Mai is an income-generating and educational project for disadvantaged families, particularly women and children.

Prokritee Fair Trade Organic Hamper – This wonderful hand-woven lidded basket contains a range of organic kitchen essentials, including cocoa, coffee, jam, marmalade, dates and spaghetti. This selection of practical pantry goods would be a welcome addition to any home. In the Prokritee group there are about 700 people (about 95% are women) who are involved in making a variety of handicrafts and they strive to develop unique fair trade products.

CAFOD World Gifts: Mother and baby care – If you had to pick one present this year, choose this. Such an incredible donation offers training to birth attendants in pre- and post-natal care, as well as in safer delivery techniques, and can give a new mother and baby a much better chance of survival. This gift also pays for new equipment and vaccines to give babies a much safer, healthier start in life. “I feel comfortable and rested here. The staff are friendly and I felt safe with Sister Teclar. I will tell all my friends to deliver their babies here.” Sarah Hyacinth, Nigeria

CAFOD World Gifts: Chickens – Cluck cluck! The gift of chickens, along with appropriate training and equipment, means poorer families can produce delicious eggs to eat or sell, or can even (yes, its true) raise more chickens! Agriculture and livestock is of incredible valuable to rural communities, so your gift would be greatly welcomed. "I’d like to thank CAFOD for your help... we have been able to start chicken rearing. We breed the chickens and then sell them on to make money for food.” Virginia, Mozambique

CAFOD World Gifts: Piglets –No, not for sausages! As a breeding pair this gift can go on giving for many years. When piglets or their offspring go to market, they’ll help provide a poor family with extra income for food, education or medicines. “We get our income from selling pigs we have bred. Because of our increased income, all the children are now in school. My dream is that they can finish school and fulfil their dreams.” Ruth, Philippines

For the eco-warriors amongst you:

Recycled Christmas cards - from Nigel's Eco Store: In the UK at Christmas we send 1 billion Christmas cards and use 80 km2 of wrapping paper, which often ends up in landfills, ruining the countryside. Make a change for the better and look after the Earth!

Eco-friendly Christmas tree – (In an attempt to save the planet) Real trees are carbon neutral, so try growing your own! These real trees also make a great gift for friends and family; or perhaps even choose a more unusual but equally Christmassy lemon or orange tree . A tree "grows up" with your family year after year and help make Christmas a little more sustainable.

Recycled Christmas crackers - Made from recycled paper and card, these Christmas crackers are better for the planet, and good for the whole family. Each cracker contains a different traditional game, so you can have lots of fun around the dinner table playing simple and quirky games from times past.

Christmas Stocking - In a festive red or vibrant blue design, put out one of these unorthodox Christmas stockings out for Santa on Christmas Eve! Will plenty of room inside for gifts, they will look great by the chimney, or under your tree.