DUDLEY KINGSWINFORD 38 LICHFIELD 14 PTS
REGIONAL 1 MIDLANDS – ROUND 2, 10TH September 2022
Proceedings started with a poignant minute’s silence with all the players from the 1s and 2s from the respective clubs linked arm in arm, followed by the new rendition of the National Anthem. The healthy crowd were then treated to an enjoyable, free flowing game of rugby, not short on mistakes nor penalties, mainly by the home side, which was won by Dudley K by six tries to two.
Dudley K finished just below half way last season in the equivalent league and operate a simple game plan, very similar to the one adopted by Lichfield for last few campaigns – win first phase possession and move the ball wide as quickly and as often as they can. Their 12, Heatley, was a class act and he was fundamental to their back play, straightening the line with effect and creating half breaks almost every time he touched the ball. Vaughan, the full back, had plenty of room to roam and he was a handful throughout. Their defence was impressive too and Lichfield will need to find ways of breaking down better defences this season.
Lichfield had one change to the backline from the Derby match with Dave Lote coming in at 12 following his inspiring charity run two weeks ago and he and Paul Maxwell-Keys were sorely tested by Heatley. The pack, however, showed six changes of personnel from those starting the previous week, not ideal at all! Any side will struggle to cope with this degree of change, even more so when five of them have played no rugby at all this season. Ditch Burton (still stand in captain) and Rory Davis were the two, who had started last week, and it showed: they worked their socks off in attack and defence. The other six worked manfully throughout, but were not comfortable with being under constant pressure and having tired bodies, even by half time.
Vaughan opened the scoring for Dudley K, wide on the left, on 10 minutes and the next 15-20 minutes were very even as far as territory was concerned. The home side then scored two tries in a minute. Firstly, from a short line out, they cleverly drove a static maul right, then left, and over the whitewash – the scorer was under a pile of bodies and was definitely a forward! Straight from the kick off, Davies (#14) charged down a clearance kick and was taking Dudley’s lead to 19 points.
Some of the Lichfield forwards were starting to find the going tough, however, respite came when David Mott cleverly read a long pass from Vaughan and cantered over from 75 metres. Dudley K earned their try bonus right on half time when Marsh was driven over from close range from another line out (26-7).
Following an early 2nd half try by Sam Benson (Lote added a 2nd conversion), supporting a break by Maxwell-Keys, Lichfield enjoyed a purple patch in the third quarter. Like last week, a lot of possession and pressure produced ‘’nil point’’ and, to carry on the coincidence, Dudley K eventually escaped and Vaughan exploited a tiring defence and set up the position for Davies to score a 2nd try.
Lichfield gamely fought on and from a penalty in the Dudley red zone, Vaughan read Ollie Green’s chip over the top and set off to open spaces and found left wing, Harrison, in support to sprint over from 60 metres. Vaughan added his fourth conversion.
Lichfield remain on two points after drawing a blank yesterday with only Stoke below them in the table. The 2XV won their league game at Dudley K by 47-22 following a dominant first half showing. Their opening game against Sutton last week was cancelled and the latter have subsequently withdrawn from the competition.
Next week, the city side are at home to Kenilworth at 3pm, on a day when the club host the annual Ladies’ Day - a sell-out guaranteed. The 1s will wear a specially designed shirt for the day, which will be auctioned after the game to raise funds for the charity, Motor Neurone Disease Association. Another big occasion for members to come and support.
If you cannot attend next Saturday for the Auction but would like to enter a pre-bid the please email Chairman Paul Massey via the website contacts page below, with your preference of Number (1-21) and bid amount.
Lichfield RUFC - Main Contacts Paul Massey
https://www.lichfieldrufc.com/contact
Match Report c/o Dave Lewis
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