MEN’S, WOMEN’S AND JUNIOR NEWS
MEN:-
LICHFIELD 1st XV 72 TAMWORTH 7 PTS
On a weekend of sustained success throughout the club, it all started to spiral upwards from Saturday afternoon at Cooke Fields. So, after seven months and 21 games, it is all going down to the final 80 minutes of the regular league season. There are lots of permutations and numbers involved in what might or can happen in 12 days’ time, but to borrow from singer, Neil Young, numbers add up to nothing. There is one simple statistic - defeat Old Saltleians at home on 5 April and Lichfield win the league, as Dronfield are now four points adrift after winning with only two tries at West Bridgford (20-7).
This home victory included twelve tries, six converted by Kai Lucas-Dumolo, divided amongst eight different players. Each half contained the same number of points for ‘’Lich’’ and the game was heading towards being an identical scoreline as the game at Tamworth during a hurricane in December until Tamworth winger, Oliver Cole, stole away from his ‘’22’’ in the final minute to race 75 metres to score a deserved try, Jack Dalton added the extras. Tamworth came to this match with only two wins all season and bottom of the league, but did they give up ? A big fat ‘’no’’. They made Lichfield work for all the tries and their scrambling defence was impressive for such a battered team.
It took the hosts ten minutes of territorial advantage to gain the upper hand, which came about as Seb Smith found a massive blind side gap to exploit. Thereafter, the tries were scored at regular intervals, as Tamworth ensured it did not get too messy. Matt Key, Ollie Green, Kieran Higgins, Rhys Davies and Freddie Wilson helped get Lichfield to 36 points by half time, by which time the game was decided and five points had been earned.
The second half very much mirrored the first as six more tries were added and maybe a couple or so were left out there, as players relaxed somewhat. Lucas-Dumolo pinched two on massive overlaps to take him past 200 points for the season and Freddie Wilson snaffled two more to take him to joint top try scorer on 15, as he threatens to become number one in the finale – his words ?!
Ditch Burton, with a nonchalant finish, and Kieran Higgins’ second finished the home scoring for the afternoon, but no one could stop Cole from escaping his red zone for a noisily received try.
On Friday evening, the 1s take the short journey up the A38 to Burton to contest the county cup final against Burton, KO is 7.45pm and please allow for roadworks on the roundabout at the Tattenhill junction, which might also be closed by the end of the game. All support is welcome, as Lichfield attempt to wrestle the cup away from Burton after holding it for the past two seasons.
On Sunday, we are hosting at Cooke Fields the Staffordshire U20s v Warwickshire county championship match, KO 2.15pm, which will feature some Lichfield players.
LICHFIELD 2nd XV 70 TAMWORTH 7 PTS
The 2s produced an improved and consistent performance this week, as they tried to match the 1s on the accompanying pitch try for try. This victory did not affect their league position, but ensured some confidence returned to the side by the end of a long afternoon for the visitors.
Lichfield had easily won the game by half time having amassed 42 points in more than even time and by the end Henry Nevitt had contributed 30 points through two tries and ten conversions (10 from 10) in a far from one man show. David Mott, also nearing a full return to match fitness, like Nevitt, after being injured since September, scored two of the remaining tries, and Charlie Jackson contributed three. The other home scorers were Aled John, Harry McDonough and Will Bennett.
The 2s are due to face Syston away on Saturday, KO 3pm.
WOMEN:-
LICHFIELD RED (1s) 45 BISHOP AUCKLAND 17 PTS
LICHFIELD GREEN (2s) 58 ASTON OLD EDS 1s 7 PTS
The Red team needed a bonus point win to ensure progress to the Championship play offs in their first season back at this level and they achieved the try bonus point in the first half, but at one stage in the second half it seemed they had forgotten the word ‘’win’’. However, they woke up to the fact when the substitutes added some needed energy and in the end the result and win was comfortable enough to grant them a day in St Albans, probably on 13 April. They are now one game away from another visit to Twickenham.
The side’s back three were heavily involved in finishing the attacking passages of play throughout. Molly Draycott with two, plus five conversions, was top individual points scorer again, however, she was kept company by Zoe Evans (2) and Kaz Kacirkova. Lottie Bozon and Hannah Johnston took the side’s total to seven tries.
The Green team had to contend with a bigger set of Aston forwards, but they benefited from plenty of tackling and defensive duties during the week and they completed the double over the Birmingham based side, who scored very early on for a 7-0 lead. After that, with the away forwards being stopped in their tracks, it became one way traffic once Lichfield hands got hold of the ball.
Amelia Staite, who finished with four tries, opened the home scoring from distance, this was surpassed by an even longer try by Sarah Robinson minutes later. She started in her ‘’22’ on the right edge and completed her first try (of 3) to the left of the posts – about 110 metres later. Roz Jermine, Ashlyn Simmons and Emily Williams (plus 4 conversions) were the other points scorers. They are at home to Handsworth on Saturday at 2pm.
HEREFORD COLTS 15 LICHFIELD COLTS (RED) 34 PTS
LICHFIELD COLTS (GREEN) 31 NEWPORT COLTS 2s 33 PTS
The Red colts went to the nether part of the league’s region and came back with a good result after a much improved performance, winning 34-15 in a perfect preparation for this coming Sunday’s home semi final of the county cup against Newcastle at 12.30pm. This result keeps
the pressure on Birmingham Moseley at the top of the league with two games to go, including a visit to Bromsgrove and a home rematch with Hereford.
The Green team are also at home in league action against Camp Hill at 2pm after an entertaining friendly against Newport, which the visitors just pipped by two points, last Sunday.
JUNIORS/MINIS:-
In another exciting final at Burton against Burton, Tim Liggins’ U16s retained the county cup on Sunday lunchtime by 34-26 pts. A year ago, they held on by two points to beat Burton, this time it was marginally less stressful, although they had to cope on less than 50% possession and playing the second half with only 14 players.
Burton played with the capricious wind in the first half and were quite happy to kick goals on a regular basis in a game punctuated by penalties, especially at the breakdown. The hosts were soon 13-0 up, which included a solo try under the posts, and Lichfield had had little possession with no rhythm to their play. Suddenly they found some momentum, their backs clicked and they scored three tries, one converted, all from sustained attacks from distance to which Burton had no answer. However, two more kickable opportunities came Burton’s way and it was 19-17 to them at the break.
The second period did not start well for Lichfield – a poor kick off receipt, two soft penalties and a melee, which resulted in a red card. To compound it, Burton scored a converted try whilst Lichfield were rocked back. As well as being a good side, the 16s have character and class throughout the side. Gradually, they hauled themselves back into the game, a try out wide made it 26-22 and then a further try under the posts, from a quick penalty, gave them the lead for a second time. With decent possession, Lichfield caused Burton problems every time and there was a sixth try to take the scoreline to more than one score. There were still nerves aplenty, but Lichfield deservedly held on for victory during a lengthy period for stoppages at the very end.
For the second week running, the 12s were involved in a tournament and they came back home having won the Bromsgrove Festival Plate – congratulations to Stuart Phillips (Pluggy) and his charges.
The girls under 14s defeated Stafford 50-0 at home in the county cup semi final and will contest the final at Stoke on 6 April against Leek/Longton, who beat Burton 20-17.
In other news, Sutton defeated a weakened 14 group, but the 13s won 55-30. The girls U12s also faced Stafford at home and did well again. The under 7s and 9s were in action on both days, having great fun supporting the men’s 1st XV onto the pitch and carrying out ball duties on Saturday, all good experience and fun.
Reports c/o President Dave Lewis

Well done to all those who represented…
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