WEEKEND 21-22 MARCH
‘DOUBLE’ DELIGHT FOR LICHFIELD
Lichfield 41 Bromsgrove 37
Lichfield completed a deserved ‘double’ over their higher placed opponents,
Bromsgrove, outscoring the visitors to Cooke Fields by 6 tries to four. In a hard
fought victory, Lichfield recovered impressively from 19 points down with under 30
minutes to play to remain in 6 th position, 9 points above relegation play off place, but
equally, only 3 points off promotion play off places in what is proving to be a closely
contested Regional 1 Midlands League.
In perfect conditions, Bromsgrove kicked off and took an early lead when Lichfield
were penalised for holding on at the ruck. Bromsgrove’s full back, who kicked solidly
throughout, made no mistake with the resultant penalty kick.
Lichfield pressed from the restart and a marauding run by Jack Hurst took play up to
Bromsgrove’s 22, leading to a penalty being conceded by the visitors for offside.
Lichfield kicked to the corner, but were penalised for blocking at the ensuing lineout,
allowing Bromsgrove to clear their lines.
The majority of the first 10 minutes was being played in the visitor’s half and Lichfield
drew level when Bromsgrove conceded a penalty at the scrum under severe
pressure from the Lichfield forwards. Charlie Milner added the points.
Lichfield lost possession from the kick off, a recurring feature of the game, as
Bromsgrove followed up quickly on the host’s receiver. Bromsgrove recycled at pace,
leading to a high tackle by Lichfield, the penalty kick to touch taking the visitors into
Lichfield’s 22. Lichfield’s defence held firm against a series of drives, but were
fortunate when Bromsgrove, playing under an advantage, created an opening wide
right only to pass forwards with the try line beckoning. Bromsgrove came back for
the penalty for offside in front of the posts. Bromsgrove took the 3 points on offer to
lead 6-3 on 17 minutes.
Lichfield fought back. An excellent ‘50-22’ from Paul Maxwell-Keys led to a lineout
5m from Bromsgrove’s line. Lichfield secured the lineout and attacked the narrow
side where a clever missed pass by Ditch Burton allowed Tyler Moseley to saunter
over unopposed. The conversion was missed, but Lichfield led 8-6.
Lichfield again ‘coughed up’ from the kick off, but Bromsgrove were penalised in the
next passage of play for not releasing. Lichfield cleared their lines to half way and
from the ensuing lineout extended their lead with some clever play. Initially attacking
centrally, the focus was switched right and a sublime delayed pass by Ditch Burton
opened up Bromsgrove’s defence. Charlie Milner ran forwards at pace before kicking
deftly through for Paul Maxwell-Keys to gather the ball at pace and score wide out.
Milner added the points and Lichfield led 15-6 on 25 minutes.
Bromsgrove secured the ball from the kick-off and pegged Lichfield back. Lichfield
conceded a penalty at a ruck, leading to an attacking lineout for the visitors. For the
second time in the game, Bromsgrove, playing under a penalty advantage, missed a
try scoring opportunity when they knocked on with a clear run in to the line. They ran
the penalty, producing a number of quick ‘pick and go’ phases that stretched
Lichfield’s defence before their full back spotted a gap, joining the line atto cross
unopposed. The conversion was successful to close the gap: 15-13 after 30 minutes.
The next 10 minutes proved difficult and costly for the Myrtle Greens. On 32 minutes
they lost their influential No. 8 Ditch Burton to a yellow card. On 35 minutes
Bromsgrove regained the lead when their No. 8 barged over from close range and
the conversion was successful.
Bromsgrove added to their lead shortly before half-time. With Burton still in the sin
bin, Lichfield worked hard to repel further Bromsgrove attacks. Unfortunately,
Maxwell-Keys sustained a knee injury, but play continued around him. Effectively
down to 13 players, it was no surprise when ‘the pressure told’ and Bromsgrove
created an opening to score another converted try, extending their lead at half-time
to 27-15.
Maxwell-Keys was unable to continue, being replaced by Rhys Davies, but Lichfield
were back to their full complement as Burton’s 10 minutes had expired.
Both sides had opportunities to score in the opening minutes of the second half, but
were thwarted by errors and penalties respectively. It was the visitors who added to
the scoreboard first on 52 minutes. A penalty kick took play inside Lichfield’s 22.
From the lineout, a series of drives pulled in Lichfield’s defence. Bromsgrove’s fly-
half, who controlled matters for the visitors throughout, saw a gap, shrugging off a
challenge and bursting through to score by the posts. The 2 points were added and
Bromsgrove led 34-15.
With just under 30minutes to play Lichfield had to score 3 times to register a win.
They hit back almost immediately. Bromsgrove knocked on from the kick off.
Lichfield, who enjoyed ascendancy in the scrum, won good ball and went blind down
the narrow side. Another missed pass saw left winger Moseley break through the
visitor’s defence. George Butler was quickly up in support to take a neat inside
offload and crash over to reduce the deficit. Milner added the points.
Bromsgrove responded hard and Lichfield defended stoutly, one attack ending with
the visitor’s No.8 being held up over the line. The pressure told and Lichfield
conceded another penalty (only) for a high tackle which was converted to extend the
lead to 15 points as the game entered the final quarter.
Lichfield dug deep to force their way back into the game. They camped in
Bromsgrove’s 22 and repeated pick and drives sucked in their defence. The ball was
finally moved wide left, creating space for Tyler Moseley to cross with ease for
Lichfield’s 4 th try. The conversion was missed, but a vital bonus point was secured.
Bromsgrove again threatened, but Lichfield won a key turnover at the ruck to clear
their lines. The crowd, swelled by ex players and staff from The Friary School, were
being treated to an entertaining contest by two evenly matched teams. This was
evident on 73 minutes when Lichfield narrowed the gap further. Bromsgrove were
penalised for holding on and Lichfield opted to run the ball quickly. Bromsgrove’s
cover was stretched and a clever chip kick over the defence saw Rhys Davies collect
the ball at pace and score near to the posts for Milner to add the conversion. The
visitor’s lead was down to 3 points with just over 5 minutes to play.
Lichfield were able to gain a foothold in their opponent’s 22 after winning a penalty in
midfield for a high tackle. They won the lineout and the forwards set up a powerful
driving maul. Bromsgrove were unable to defend a textbook drive and second row
Chris Bennett was at the bottom as the Lichfield eight piled over their opponent’s
line. The conversion was successful and Lichfield led for the first time since the 35 th
minute.
There were still 3 minutes to go and Bromsgrove, not for the first time regathered
the ball from their kick off. The forwards drove hard into the Lichfield 22 winning a
penalty on the 22. The visitors opted to run, but Lichfield’s defence again held firm
and in what turned out to be the final passage of play, Bromsgrove were penalised
for entering a ruck from the side. Lichfield tapped and kicked the ball into touch to
win an enthralling contest.
Dogged determination and not a little skill at key moments won the day for Lichfield,
their opponents being left to rue missed opportunities. This was very much a team
victory: from the unsung front five, the tigerish flankers, the calm and cohesive
combination at No.8, scrum half and fly half, the powerful centres, the attack and
defence qualities of the back three and not forgetting the positive contributions of the
three replacements.
An important bonus point victory.
Next week Lichfield travel to Newent, the Gloucester outfit having won all of their
home games to date. Another tough encounter can be expected as the 2025/2026
season reaches a climax.
Report by Martyn Gabbitass
THE PLOUGH AT HUDDLESFORD MAN OF THE MATCH – CHARLIE MILNER
This Saturday, Lichfield 1st XV are away to Newent, whilst the 2s host Oswestry. Both are league games at 3pm.
NEWPORT 3RD XV 41 LICHFIELD 2nd XV 26 PTS
COUNTIES 3 MIDLANDS WEST (NORTH)
Lichfield travelled over to Newport with a good recent record in this league, but did not expect to face a home backline fielding five Fijians from the local Army base – and they made a massive difference to the outcome. The Lichfield forwards coped well enough, however, the Lichfield backs had a testing afternoon throughout a most enjoyable game.
The Lichfield points came from tries by Sam Dickinson, Kai Lucas-Dumolo, Tom Day and Michael Turner, who also converted one.
COLTS:-
LICHFIELD 50 SUTTON COLDFIELD 0 PTS
LEAGUE
The colts took an expected, yet necessary, step forward in their efforts to win the top West Midlands league for the first time on Sunday by beating near neighbours, Sutton, by over 50 points in a game, which was conceded by Sutton just after half time. After the cup loss the week before, the colts need to steady the ship and they did so in with a commanding performance, complemented by eight tries. From the moment Rhys Wynne picked an angle from his own try line to finish under the posts at the other end – virtually without being touched – it was obvious the team were in form.
Lichfield saw lots of possession and they cleverly went through their phases and then found the vacant gaps to expose Sutton’s sorely tested defence. When the home side scored shortly after half time, the game was called off by the visitors.
There are just three games to go in the league, away at Bromsgrove this Sunday at 2pm, and four points are needed now to finish top. Whilst there was disappointment at their cup loss, they have the plate to contest and the squad intends on winning that in addition to the league after a very good campaign.
WOMEN/GIRLS:-
BLAYDON 1ST XV 0 LICHFIELD RED (1s) 70 PTS
CHAMP 1 NORTH
As expected, Blaydon could not cope with the Lichfield forward power and the speed possessed by the backs, and they suffered yet another hefty loss. The visitors had rattled up 49 points by the break, they rang the changes personnel wise and this, as often happens, affected their try scoring ability thereafter.
Tries came from Jess Panayiotou (3), Grace Collins, Em Williams, Molly Draycott (2), Abi Bowes, Bryany Chalk and Issie McGuire with Draycott adding all the conversions.
This Sunday, the Red team visit West Park Leeds in their final league fixture, sitting fifth in the league. A bonus point win would leave them in third spot at the season’s conclusion. The Green team are at home to West Bridgford 1s, both KO at 2pm.
The girls U18s defeated Chesterfield 43-17 in a friendly.
BOYS:-
There were two county finals for the Lichfield juniors to contend with on Sunday. The results were:-
LICHFIELD U15s 21 BURTON 29 PTS
LICHFIELD U13s 20 LONGTON 15 PTS
The 15s, who had defeated Burton last season to win the cup, could not match the Burton forwards’ power and driving play and this proved crucial in a very tightly fought match, which Lichfield led 14-12 at half time. After the break, Burton slowly got the upper hand and their ‘’10’’ scored a crucial try as he weaved his way through the home side’s defensive rearguard. Luke Trueman promises the squad will come back stronger for this experience.
The 13s faced a bigger set of players from Longton and yet they found ways to overcome them in a nail biting and exciting final at Walsall on Sunday. The game was won by four tries to three.
In other games, both the 14s and 16s narrowly lost in friendlies against Moseley and Ashby respectively.
The club also hosted the first of its two mini rugby festivals on an ideal morning for this type of occasion. As usual, it was well attended by clubs from near and far with teams in the U7s-9s bracket. The second festival is on 12 April for the U10s-12s.
SUNDAY, 29 MARCH:-
All three junior girls sides have won their way to their county cup finals this Sunday at Burton. The U14s open the batting at 12pm with Burton being the opponents and this is followed by the U16s facing Burton as well, before the U18s close the day with Stafford as the opposition.

Good Luck to all those representing this weekend - Please check venues and KO times with your Team Managers
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Lichfield Rugby Union Football Club, Cooke Fields, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS14 9JE