JUNIORS
UNDER 13 BOYS | LUTTERWORTH 4 - 9 LICHFIELD
UNDER 14 BOYS | MARKET BOSWORTH FESTIVAL V LICHFIELD
UNDER 15 BOYS | LUTTERWORTH 38 - 34 LICHFIELD
UNDER 16 BOYS | LEEK 24 - 30 LICHFIELD

WEEKEND ROUND UP | DAVE LEWIS

LICHFIELD 1ST XV 10 LUTTERWORTH 15 PTS

REGIONAL 1 MIDLANDS – ROUND 3
For the second consecutive week, Lichfield scored ten points, but these were once again just short of what was required for victory. On an afternoon where the defences held sway, a lot of endeavour from both sides brought limited fruits for their labour – only three tries in total, plus a couple of penalties, one a piece.

What worked last season in attack for Lichfield is not going to be so successful against better organised defences at this higher level, there needs to be a Plan B engineered for sure. The defensive work was full hearted, at times almost heroic, against another big set of forwards and a back line not exactly lacking size. It was a shame that Lutterworth’s two tries emanated from poorly directed kicks in the visitors’ half, which allowed them to escape and eventually score.

Lutterworth’s opening kick off, which they regathered, was clever and just about went 10 metres, and this afforded them total field domination for the opening twelve minutes. Stout defence kept them at bay and when the home side did escape, the first of those poor kicks stopped dead any progress and, after more goal line pressure, Lutterworth’s fly half, Lewis Roberson, shrugged off a defender to score the first try, unconverted.

Both sides continued to do most of the attacking through the forwards on a damp afternoon with a slippery ball – defences were ready, however. Around the half hour mark, Lichfield got off the mark with a straight penalty from Kai Lucas-Dumolo, yet this was soon more than cancelled out. Lichfield were down to 14 with Paul Maxwell-Keys in the bin, so the next errant kick allowed Lutterworth to make ground to the home end too easily and after another siege of the Lichfield line, centre, Tom Bishop, was granted space to score against an overstretched back line. Roberson converted for a 12-3 half time lead.

With all their subs on, Lichfield looked livelier in the early second period. Two long range penalties came their way from good play and, on both occasions, Charlie Milner was unlucky to see the ball strike the left post and then the right one the second time. One of those being successful could have changed the momentum, as it was Lutterworth were able to stretch their lead with a penalty of their own from Mitchell Culpin.

There was no sign of Lichfield giving in or becoming frustrated and they slowly took control territorially, but not without some more dogged defence when needed. The reward came as Rory Davis (the Plough Inn, Huddlesford, player of the match) smashed his way over for a try, converted by Lucas-Dumolo.

Lutterworth were now being tested more than at any stage, however, their experienced replacement fly half, Luke Ball, used his nous to relieve pressure more than once and so Lichfield were left five points shy of a draw, but yet again they earned themselves a losing bonus point - important. The scrum held up well and the home side burgled four of the opposition line outs, but their attacking play and handling did not flow naturally enough to pressurise the visitor’s rearguard.

Team: Green (capt) , Lucas-Dumolo, Maxwell-Keys, Spinner, Moseley, Nevitt, Seb Smith, Bates, Dace, Davis, Field, Key, Bourne, Hitchen, Burton Reps Hagyard, Hurst, Milner

Scorers – Tries: Davis Convs & Pen : Lucas-Dumolo 1/1

Lichfield ‘s next league match is on Saturday 4 October at Banbury (KO 3pm).

CHELTENHAM 17 LICHFIELD WOMEN 1st XV (RED) 5 PTS

CHAMPIONSHIP 1 NORTH – ROUND 2

Lichfield women’s 1st XV (Reds) visited last season’s league winners, Cheltenham, on Saturday and performed considerably better than they had least season against the Gloucestershire side.

They were even able to take the lead with a try from lock, Louisa Maynard, on 13 minutes, but were unable to add to this for the remainder of the game. Meanwhile, the home side scored three of their own, one converted, between the 22nd and 48th minutes and to restrict Cheltenham to just four points was a fillip for the side’s defensive systems.

OLD LEAMINGTONIANS 29 LICHFIELD WOMEN 2ND XV 38 PTS

NC 1 MIDS WEST – ROUND 1

Last season, both clubs won their home games, so to go to Old Leams and win this game was a huge bonus for a young and inexperienced squad, especially given they were 29-12 down after half an hour. The home side scored five tries in these opening 30 minutes. Eleanor Udall scored her second try just before half time to give some momentum to the side, yet, with only two subs on board, they totally turned it round in the second half.

No 8, Brooke Saunders, added the other first half try and, as the Lichfield side’s fitness started to have an impact, there were three converted second half scores to give the visitors a well deserved win. Kim Walton-Evans and Emelia Twesigye on 57 and 67 minutes put ‘’Lich’’ into the lead and the change in control was emphasised with a final try with ten to go by ‘’name withhed’’ – Udall in total converted four on top of her two tries.

LUCTONIANS 12 LICHFIELD COLTS 24 PTS

MIDLANDS NORTH 1 LEAGUE – round 2

Lichfield built on last week’s heartening win at Wolverhampton with an even better one this Sunday against Luctonians, never the easiest side to overcome away from home, even more so after the long journey required to get there. The coaches were able to maintain some consistency in their selection of the starting XV and these were backed up by a bench of seven to spread the load. Really sound result ! This coming Sunday, they face Hereford at home at 2pm.

JUNIORS:-

On Sunday morning, the boys 16s demonstrated their evolving talents and team play with a sound 30-24 win at Leek in the first round of the county league/cup competition, with Walsall at home this weekend in round 2. The boys 15s had an entertaining game at Lutterworth – a very decent outfit and easily the home club’s best junior side – and, after going behind 24-0 in under even time, they retaliated either side of half time to lead 29-24. Lutterworth’s fly half then scored two solo tries against the run of play to put his side 39-29 in front, before Lichfield replied with a final try. They are at Telford this Sunday. The boys 13s, also at Lutterworth, won by 9 tries to 4.

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