RUGBY REVIEW
13-14 SEPTEMBER
STOURBRIDGE 17 LICHFIELD 1ST XV 10 PTS
REGIONAL 1 MIDLANDS – ROUND 2
In a game where both teams gave as good as they got, Stourbridge just about crossed the finishing line in front in a ferocious battle between two well matched outfits. They move up to second spot with their four points and Lichfield rightly deserved a losing bonus point, which leaves them fifth at this early stage of the season.
Stourbridge had the weight, bulk and experience to rely on, but it did not stop the visitors giving them a hard afternoon for the full 80 minutes. With a well rehearsed move, Lichfield took the lead early on as Ditch Burton fed Paul Maxwell-Keys on an unstoppable line, with Henry Nevitt converting the try, and there was real momentum again to the city side’s play. This was emphasised when James McKenzie won a foot race down the right, on 20 minutes, but could not ground the ball properly. He was to depart moments later injured, which necessitated a rejigging of the side. Lichfield missed his pace and were less fluent thereafter, offensively in particular, but defensively as well.
Nevertheless, Lichfield defended stoutly and kept their line in tact for just over 30 minutes, without too much difficulty. When a ‘’Stour’’ backs move stalled, that wrong footed the Lichfield rearguard and fly half, Michael Penn, found a parting of the Red Seas in front of him and he scampered to the posts, Freddie Morgan converted. At 7 apiece, half time arrived.
In the second period, the home side started to edge key moments and battles, however, the majority of the game was still played in the middle third of the pitch with defences holding out from some relentless attacks from both sides. With 20 minutes to go, after Lichfield had lost possession on half way, hooker, Fin Hayward, stole away in midfield and, whilst he was stopped well, Stourbridge recycled the ball quickly enough for left wing, Dan Rundle, to squeeze over in the corner.
In Lichfield’s next attack, a penalty resulted under the Stourbridge posts and Nevitt took the three points on offer. Still game on. The match was decided when the home side created an overlap for Rundle 60 metres out and his rapid pace gave him the opportunity to score wide out again.
Both teams continued to pound one another for the remaining ten minutes, however, there was no more scoring and Lichfield had to accept a close defeat for their afternoon’s efforts – it included debuts for Jack Bates at prop and David Williams in the back row. Bates was confronted by an opponent s few stones heavier than he and yet the scrum held up well, as did the line out, whilst Williams beavered away for his first 60 minutes in the Lichfield line up.
Team Green, McKenzie, Maxwell-Keys, Spinner, Moseley, Nevitt, Benson, Bates, Reynolds ©, Davis, Bourne, Key, Milner, Hitchen, Burton Reps S Smith, Hagyard, Williams
Scorers – Tries: Maxwell-Keys Convs & Pen : Nevitt 1/1
Lichfield ‘s next league match is on Saturday at home to Lutterworth (KO 3pm), which pits two of the sides promoted into the league against each other.
LICHFIELD 2ND XV 22 BARTON U NEEDWOOD 1 XV 30 PTS
COUNTIES 3 MIDLANDS WEST (NORTH) – ROUND 2
Lichfield 2s were defeated at Cooke Fields by a well organised Barton side in the battle of the A38 on Saturday. The score was tied at 10 all at half time and it was Barton, who had the better of the 2nd period and took a deserved win back with them up the road.
Lichfield’s tries - two in each half – were scored by Tom Day, Lucas Laing, Tom Taylor and Freddie Wilson with Chad Southam adding one conversion. The four tries earned the home side a bonus point.
For Barton, there were scores for Matt Jenkinson (2) and Steve Sheppard, whilst fly half Will Peach converted all three and kicked two penalties and a drop goal.
There are no more league games for the next two weeks for the 2s.
LICHFIELD WOMEN 1st XV (RED) 74 BLAYDON RED KITES 0 PTS
CHAMPIONSHIP 1 NORTH
New head coach, Tim Westwood, oversaw a solid performance from the Lichfield Red team, which resulted in a 12 try victory on an unpleasantly wet afternoon at Cooke Fields. The Lichfield squad had lost six players to Leicester Tigers and, with seven debuts being given out, they took a time to settle despite a neat early try by Amy Edmondson, the first of her three.
After a period of midfield stalemate, Lichfield scored two quickfire tries after 20 minutes and the game was effectively won and, with youth and pace on their side, the scoreline showed the difference between a side with experience at this level and a newly promoted one after a three hour journey.
The other tries came from Tiana Woollaston (2), Sarah Baugh (2), Bryany Chalk, Lily O’Brien, Amelia Staite, Lottie Bozon and the majestic Molly Dracott, who also converted seven tries.
Next week, the Red team face Cheltenham (away) and the Green team are also on their travels at Old Leamingtonians 1s. Both are 2pm.
WOLVERHAMPTON 5 LICHFIELD COLTS 17 PTS
MIDLANDS NORTH 1 LEAGUE
The Lichfield squad, with James Hitchen and Matt Weaver as joint Head Coach, started the 25/6 league campaign with a good performance at a wet Wolverhampton, scoring three tries in the process. The home side were well organised and motivated by trying to revenge their
cup final defeat last season, but were restricted to a single try, as once again the Lichfield ‘’D’’ proved well organised.
Next week, they face a trip to Luctonians (2pm).
On Sunday morning, a talented 15 group squad expressed their prowess and pace in abundance, as they started their defence of the county cup, which is being played in a round robin format. Longton were the visitors and they were defeated by 50-0. A bigger test will come from Lutterworth this coming Sunday.
The boys 14s took their first game in their stride with a 28-5 win over Belper in an enjoyable game for both sides, with the home side getting stronger as the match wore on.
In the afternoon, a very gifted girls U18s, now known as the Lionesses, showed their capabilities, which includes lots of pacey backs. There were a number of long range tries, as they overcame a gutsy Kenilworth outfit by 39-10 pts in a friendly.

reports c/o Dave Lewis

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