MATCH REPORT - LICHFIELD 56 | 17 TAMWORTH

MATCH REPORT | MEN’S 1st XV | SATURDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 2023
REGIONAL 2 MIDLANDS NORTH (ROUND 3)
LICHFIELD 56 | 17 TAMWORTH
The men’s 1st XV produced a much improved performance on Saturday, especially in the 2nd half, to earn themselves a try bonus victory over local rivals, Tamworth, at Cooke Fields. This keeps them in 2nd spot in the table with Long Eaton at the summit after a walkover against Sutton, who had covid problems last week.
For the neutral, the game was nicely poised at 17 apiece with moments to go to half time. Tamworth centre, Liam Saayman, was then yellow carded for a clumsy, late tackle and, during his absence, Lichfield scored 17 points and effectively killed the game off. This bad patch was compounded for the visitors when Adam Skinner classily scored in a 1 to 1 situation moments later. There was definitely no way back from a 41-14 deficit even with 25 minutes to go.
Lichfield could not have started better, with early pressure, and Charlie Milner kicked a straightforward penalty after just 90 seconds. It was not long before Rich Burton was powering over on the left, with Milner adding the first of his six conversions. Tamworth, to their credit, came back strongly and full back, Jay Rosenbach, opened their account with a penalty on 15 minutes and they were soon level when right winger, Will Kilby-Jenkins raced to the corner after a well worked penalty ploy, Rosenbach converted well.
The home side were slowly getting a better grip on the game and it was Cal Turner, who scored next after 25 minutes to take the score to 17-10. Tamworth remained gutsy and scrambled well in defence and they were awarded a penalty try after Rosenbach broke up a Lichfield attack and was obstructed after a 75 metre chip and chase.
With half time looming, Saayman disappeared and a minute later Milner added a penalty so that his team went in at 20-17. Lichfield started the 2nd period on the front foot and Matt Cowley fended off three defenders to score well in the corner. His 2nd row partner, Harvey Wootton, was next on the score sheet, as he also proved unstoppable from ten metres out. Spinner was adding his try five minutes later and the young Tamworth team were now starting to struggle, they became inconsistent with errors increasing, but they did not give up.
The visitors gifted Cal Shields a try, as they failed to deal with a hopeful kick into the in goal area, and Tom Day, on the overlap, finished the scoring with try number seven. Milner completed the game with a simple penalty, as the game somewhat lost its earlier competitiveness and he finished with 21 points, missing only one shot all afternoon.
It was a more polished performance from Lichfield, there was more energy (admittedly less heat to cope with), increased variety to their play and their defensive work was more structured and coordinated. They now move on next week to Mellish, who are based on the NE side of Nottingham on Plains Road, Mapperley (NG3 5RX), KO at 3pm. The 2s are at home in a Midlands Reserve league match against Bournville.
The women started their league campaigns on Sunday and the 1st XV (red team) won 36-7 at Bury Foxes and the Green team beat Rugby Lionesses 43-7, a very decent start for both sides. The Green team are at home on Sunday at 2:30pm, whereas the Red team have to travel to Long Eaton.
Report c/o Dave Lewis