MATCH REPORT WOLVERHAMPTON 1ST V LICHFIELD 1ST

MATCH REPORT | MEN’S 1st XV | SATURDAY 14th OCTOBER 2023
REGIONAL 2 MIDLANDS NORTH (ROUND 6)
WOLVERHAMPTON 14 | 38 LICHFIELD
Lichfield maintained their position at the top of the table with another bonus point win at Castlecroft last Saturday. It was far from a classic game of rugby, but there were some definite plus points for the squad to build on and these will give Hemo and his coaching team some pleasure and some food for thought.
Five of the six tries were scored by the backs, who are starting to show some of their capabilities from two seasons ago, all built on simplicity, running lines and good support. The other try was scored by Ditch Burton (his 7th) and he appeared on the shoulder of Sam Benson (a back !). A lack of possession, however, limited their effectiveness and this was mainly a consequence of the fact that the pack lacked cohesion with changes of personnel, who hadn’t enough game time under their belts this season. When Calum Hagyard and Harvey Moss came on as the ‘’finishers’’, this scenario was no different and then they lost Jack Hurst to a lower leg fracture in an innocuous looking tackle. Further disruption to deal with…Get well soon Jack!
Fortunately, by then, Lichfield had done enough to ease away to victory, although the Wolverhampton pack – adept in the arts of pick and go – kept the city side’s defence honest to the end, but could not add to their two tries in the opening 50 minutes, scored by Sully Aurangzeb and his brother and converted by Ben Guest.
Lichfield opened their account within 10 minutes, not for the first time Wolverhampton were stretched out wide and Kai Lucas-Dumolo scored in the corner. On 17 minutes, it was Tom Day who had a clear path to the line with Lucas-Dumolo adding the extras (first of 3). The home side did have a period on the attack with their forward drives to the fore and got it back to 12-7, but Burton was next on the score sheet as the half closed at 19 to 7.
Inconsistencies in the amount and quality of possession hamstrung the Lichfield backs thereafter, but they produced a well rehearsed move on their own ‘’22’’ after 50 minutes and David Mott scored 75 metres further up the pitch. Wolverhampton’s second try technically kept them in the game, but their play was riddled with inaccuracies and their forwards were their only route forwards.
Paul Maxwell-Keys was the next Lichfield beneficiary of having space out wide with try number 5 and finally Benson scooted away from tiring defenders to grab the last, with Adam Spinner adding the final two points of the afternoon.
This Saturday Lichfield are at home to Newark, kick off is 3pm and thereafter the start times move to 14:15hrs until March.
The 3rd XV overcame a game Barton side 49-0 to give them a first victory in their league, but the colts continue to find life hard in their competition, losing to the always strong Luctonians outfit. There was no rugby for the women and the boys’ junior sides were all victorious.
Report | Dave Lewis
WEEKEND RESULTS
1ST XV WOLVERHAMPTON 14 | 38 LICHFIELD
3RD XV LICHFIELD 49 | 00 BARTON UNDER NEEDWOOD 2XV
COLTS OLD LUCTONIANS 33 | 7 LICHFIELD
U16 LICHFIELD 50 | 21 ECCLESHALL LONGTON BARBARIANS
U15 LICHFIELD 50 | 00 ECCLESHALL
U14 LICHFIELD 50 | 12 COALVILLE
U13 BARTON UNDER NEEDWOOD 10 | 20 LICHFIELD
Please Like & Share...