MATCH REPORT

MATCH REPORT
LICHFIELD 33 | 38 LONG EATON
MEN’S 1st XV – PAPA JOHN’S COMMUNITY CUP POOL 2
The long awaited game between these two clubs did not disappoint, even if this meeting was in Papa John’s Community cup, now in its second season. Lichfield won their league game by three tries to two, this time the visitors won by six to five in a fluctuating affair full of excitement and entertaining rugby. The home side opted for the younger looking version of the side again and introduced Alfie Kavanagh (scrum half) to this level of the game for the first time and he certainly did not look out of place and nor did Owen Boxall, who scored three tries and was a thorn in the side to Long Eaton throughout. His and the collective efforts of the side were not quite enough.
In the league game, it was reported how influential Murray McConnell at scrum half was to the Long Eaton team, yet again this was true on Saturday. His experience from being a professional rugby player at Glasgow and Nottingham is evident and he has the knack of always being in the right place and he has a trusty right foot to gain valuable ground. Not far behind him are Jack Collister, captain of the side, and Lewis Giddings, who also had an arm chair ride behind a beefy and knowledgeable pack. On this occasion, he helped himself to four tries, none of which were from more than five metres out.
That was where the game was won, the visitors were just too strong up front and they used this asset when their strategy needed it. Lichfield’s defence could have been better – so could Long Eaton’s – and their youth and hence lack of experience reared its ugly head a few times, crucially, and it cost them tries or momentum. That is the whole point of trying to blood some new faces!
Lichfield started brightly and their first attack contained multiple phases of recycled possession, without looking like breaking through. Variety was lacking. Nevertheless, they had the better of the opening 10-15 minutes, so it was disappointing when Long Eaton scored from their first real attack in the red zone. They won a five metre line out and Giddings was driven over, McConnell added the extras (first of four). Five minutes later, the home side were level. Paul Maxwell-Keys broke through in midfield and Boxall did the rest.
By now, McConnell had his ‘’baton’’ out and was conducting well and hence his team were making more ground, more often. Around the half hour mark, Long Eaton had a significantly positive period. Their right wing, Max Devergne, scored two tries as the Lichfield defence struggled to cope with some varied attacking ploys and also they were reduced to 13 men for eight minutes following two rapid yellow cards.
From 19-7, the city side managed to draw level by half time. Whilst down to 13, the backs worked a smart move off a line out and David Mott swerved around Ben Milton (full back) to score. This was closely finished by Boxall’s second, another good finish, Adam Spinner had converted two and hit the post with the third.
The home side started the second period really well and Maxwell-Keys was causing the Nottingham side’s further problems and he added try number four, which was converted by Spinner. The game became ever more a battle between the well drilled Long Eaton forwards and the variety of rugby served up by Lichfield, especially in broken play. Penalties conceded by ‘Lich’ also aided Long Eaton’s progress.
The game was effectively decided over a fifteen minute period mid way through the 2nd half and that man, Giddings, helped himself to three more close range, virtually unstoppable, tries. McConnell converted two but there was time for Boxall to score a marvelous individual try from 40 metres out, which left Milton beaten by a nifty change of direction. This was converted by Spinner, but Lichfield could not find the muscle and guile to grab the all important sixth try. There was no disgrace in this defeat to a good Long Eaton side.
The second Papa John’s pool game on this Saturday, KO 3pm, is at Stow on the Wold RFC, which is based in the Cotswolds about 18 miles east of Cheltenham. Whilst they conceded over 60 points last Saturday, they have a sponsor’s day this week, so we can expect a stronger opposition than Northampton Old Scouts faced.
The 2s played in the Staffordshire cup for the lower sides within clubs and came out victorious against Burntwood by 38-7 with six tries, four converted by Chad Southam, who also scored a try along with Kieran Higgins (2), Isaac Craig, Harry Haddleton-Fripp and Harrison Stratford. They are back in action against Burton this weekend in the same cup.
The club currently has three unbeaten sides, including the two women’s sides and the Red team (1s) were expected to extend their record, but their league game against Hitchin was postponed and may not be played. The boys’ 16 group kept their record in tact with a one point win against Hinckley (35-34), a side they beat recently by nine points.
The under 13s at last played their county final against Burton at Tamworth on Sunday morning. Burton had won two previous meetings this season and once again they proved their abilities with a 25-15 victory in a closely fought match. Well done to this young group of players in their first full season.
The afternoon went better for the colts, however, as they made their way to the county final via a 32 points to 15 success against Longton at a resplendent Cooke Fields. The final is on 4th May against Walsall at Wolverhampton RFC, we believe at 1pm.

Report c/o Dave Lewis