MATCH REPORT | MEN’S 1st XV | SATURDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER 2023

MATCH REPORT | MEN’S 1st XV | SATURDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER 2023
REGIONAL 2 MIDLANDS NORTH (ROUND 1)
MATLOCK 16 | 25 LICHFIELD
After the disappointments of last season, Lichfield did what they needed to achieve – win. On a very hot afternoon in attractive surroundings, the rugby was not pretty, however, there was plenty of endeavor from both sides, it was just the execution that was too often missing. Not surprising really on week 1 of the campaign.
The hosts posed some problems for ‘Lich’ in the opening half, there were self inflicted wounds as well to deal with, but eventually the visitors had enough experience, savvy and fitness to win the day by three tries to one. So no try bonus point, yet the victory felt good on a testing afternoon at a ground where only one side won by more than one score last season.
Lichfield were able to welcome back captain, Charlie Milner, Harvey Wootton and Matt Cowley to the pack after long absences during the 22/23 season and they understandably made a difference. The forwards were also bolstered by debutants Danny Griffin at hooker and Chris Bennett (2nd row) and their efforts were appreciated by their team mates. The backs, as was the case for Matlock, could not penetrate down the middle and were not comfortable enough to go wide with the necessary accuracy on a slightly smaller pitch. Dylan Whittington also made a late debut on the wing for the city side.
Matlock made the better start to the game and their reward was a penalty from full back, James Fairclough, the first of his four successful shots at goal, which came shortly after an attack was held up over the line. Not for the last time, the Lichfield front line defence was not perfect, yet they scrambled well all afternoon when their line was in danger.
This triggered a positive respond from the ‘’myrtle greens’’ and, after a concerted attack, Sam Benson was unstoppable from close range, with Milner adding the extras. Lichfield lost their attacking bite, however, and on 35 minutes John Harrod, supporting a Matlock break, put the home side in front again with a try, converted by Fairclough. There was time for Lichfield to get back in front and Ditch Burton, in his distinctive boots, blasted over from a 5 metre scrum to give ‘Lich’ a 12-10 interval lead.
The city side slowly took better control in the second period and it was Burton again, who added the third try from 20 metres, Milner converted. A fourth try would have made things much easier, yet Fairclough with another penalty kept Matlock in the hunt. Milner cancelled that with a penalty of his own to go more than one score in front and, in the last ten minutes with Lichfield down to 14, both kickers added a further penalty apiece.
Next Saturday, Lichfield visit Sutton Coldfield at 3:00pm (Walmley Road B76 2QA) in round 2 of the league. Sutton were one of two sides to concede 60 points last Saturday with Newark and Long Eaton making the early headway.
The 2s, who start their league season at home to Nuneaton next Saturday on the club’s ‘’Open Day’’, won their friendly against Stafford by 117-7 pts at the weekend. The colts lost at Bromsgrove in their latest friendly and they start their league season on Sunday at Newport (Salop). The women’s league season starts the following weekend.
Report | David Lewis