MATCH REPORT

MATCH REPORT | MEN’S 1st XV | SATURDAY 30th SEPTEMBER 2023
REGIONAL 2 MIDLANDS NORTH (ROUND 5)
LICHFIELD 34 | 12 WALSALL

On the back of a much improved performance, Lichfield not only saw off another side with intentions of contesting the top of the table, they moved to position one themselves – by the smallest of margins, as Long Eaton failed to register a try bonus point. The hosts produced a well controlled display throughout and overcame playing for over 40 minutes with 14 (red card) and conceding too many penalties in the first period.
It would be unfair to single out any individual player, but there were some very influential displays on show, especially from the ‘’old heads’’. The pack nullified Walsall’s best efforts and they were always on the back foot against Lichfield’s best defensive show to date.
As far as the scoring is concerned, the two halves were very similar (17-5 and 17-7) and, if anything, Lichfield’s evident control was stronger in the 2nd half with their 14 doing the job of 15 quite comfortably. The crucial score came on 15 minutes into the second half when Sam Benson’s quickly taken penalty outsmarted the Walsall defence and with the conversion the score moved to 24-5. There were no more banana skins and there was some relief in the crowd…….even amongst the players, seemingly.
The Lichfield penalty count was too high to build real momentum, so it took them 17 minutes before Ditch Burton could power his way over from a 5 metre scrum to grab his sixth of the campaign. Kai Lucas-Dumolo converted it. Three minutes later it was he, who crossed the whitewash, with the Walsall backs defence struggling to cope with a pacey attack. Ten minutes later, he doubled his tally in very similar circumstances.
The last few minutes of the half were not good. Firstly, a Lichfield penalty was reversed and Walsall’s ‘9’, Dean Ainger, reacted quickly to score a well needed try and then came the red card. Lichfield more than coped, however !
The second half started with Lichfield on the ascendancy territorially, but they could not break through the Walsall wall. Then Benson struck and everyone relaxed noticeably. Lichfield continued to do the important things well and there was an inevitability about the final result. Walsall did score next, as Corbon Clarke-Selby picked off a Lichfield line out with Mitch Carless converting. The home side were soon back on the attack and they took the three on offer when the visitors were penalized in front of their own posts, Lucas-Dumolo kicking it to go with two second half conversions.
The final try summed up proceedings. Walsall tried to run from deep, lost the ball in contact and quick hands released the ball to the prominent Cal Turner, who scored comfortably by the sticks for his fifth try so far. Job done.
There is no men’s rugby next Saturday, although the women and the colts are in action on Sunday. The 1st XV is back in action on 15 October at Wolverhampton, with the next home game the following week against Newark, both 3pm.
On Sunday, the women defeated Chester 55-5 in the National Intermediate cup 1st round and, after beating Stafford in the cup the previous week, the colts disappointingly failed to win the league game at home. The 13 and 16 groups both had victories on Sunday morning and the girls’ 12 group was also in action.
Report | Dave Lewis

WEEKEND RESULTS
MENS 1XV | LICHFIELD 34 | 12 WALSALL
MENS 2XV | DUDLEY K 62 | 24 LICHFIELD
LADIES 1XV | LICHFIELD 55 | 05 CHESTER DEVAS
COLTS | LICHFIELD 10 | 35 STAFFORD
BOYS U16 | LICHFIELD 43 | 27 WALSALL
BOYS U13 | LICHFEILD 25 | 15 TAMWORTH