LICHFIELD 1ST XV 14 SYSTON 1ST XV 51 PTS
REGIONAL 1 MIDLANDS
‘’The better side won’’ is a very apt phrase for events yesterday at Cooke Fields – very comfortably in the end, unfortunately for the home side. Syston, who finished third in this league last season, gave ‘’Lich’’ a thoroughly good lesson in what is required to be a successful side at this level, they were just better offensively and defensively for most of the game.
Whilst Lichfield were able to field a more settled side on paper, there were still early season cracks appearing from the second minute when right wing, Bird, flew through a huge gap in the outside channel and was able to give fellow winger, Reid, the easiest of tries. They repeated the same, well rehearsed move two more times and could have scored both times, but did not through poor finishing.
The city side responded well, won some decent possession and hence made territorial gains and, from a line out peel, the ball went blind and David Mott squeezed in the corner with Dave Lote converting. A lead was good news, but it only lasted five minutes. Full back, Nockles, stroked over an easy penalty. Almost immediately, Syston attacked through the backs and forwards, at pace, and their coach, Tuckey, was able to fall over the line for a try of simple efficiency. Nockles converted and then added a try after a smart box kick found no one at home. Again the conversion was good.
Lichfield were now being thoroughly examined, but escaped defensive duties when a penalty was reversed in their favour and this time it was Mott, who did well gathering another box kick, and putting Ben Meads over for a maiden senior try. Kai Lucas – Dumolo, on for the injured Lote, added the extras to make it 22-10 at half time.
Straight after the break, Lichfield had their best attacking move, with Freddie Wilson prominent, however, they weren’t able to beat the covering defence in the right corner. Syston moved steadily downfield from the line out and replacement full back, Rhys Jones, added another clever, yet straightforward try. The game was put to bed shortly afterwards as Ross Bourgoine, diminutive for a rugby player these days (especially in the back row), scored a deserved try capping a fine all round performance.
Syston’s grip just tightened more and more, whether they had the ball or with their suffocating defence, which just drew more and more errors from Lichfield. Their reward was a further three tries from Reid (twice) and a slightly dubious penalty try with Nunney adding a conversion to ensure they took over as league leaders with Burton losing at home to Bridgnorth.
So, plenty of scope for improvement over the coming weeks, however, the next three games are against sides below them in the league starting with a visit to Nuneaton (ground is at Liberty Way, CV11 6RR) at 3pm next Saturday.
The club were pleased to get all three senior men’s sides playing yesterday, but the 2s were also exposed by a well coached Syston side, also conceding 50 points (17-53), and the 3s lost in a local derby against Whittington 1VX (13-7). At this moment in time, both the 2s and 3s are due to be at home next Saturday in league games against Nuneaton and Telford Hornets.
Match Report c/o Dave Lewis