MATCH REPORT | MEN’S 1st XV | SATURDAY 11TH NOVEMBER 2023

MATCH REPORT | MEN’S 1st XV | SATURDAY 11TH NOVEMBER 2023
REGIONAL 2 MIDLANDS NORTH (ROUND 9)
LICHFIELD 35 | 25 MELBOURNE

Lichfield maintained their near perfect start to the campaign with another 5 point victory over a Melbourne side, who were able to show their talents in the second half and narrowed the home team’s lead to one point just before the hour mark. However, a late and unnecessary tackle/charge shortly afterwards by Mackenzie Welsh, which resulted in a yellow card and a penalty 50 metres up the pitch, allowed Lichfield to have a positive 10 minutes with two tries coming their way to take them to 35-20. They had total control of their destiny again.
Both Rich Burton (10 in 9) and Paul Maxwell-Keys scored a brace of tries each and Kai Lucas-Dumolo, who took the force of the aforementioned late tackle, added the other try along with a 100% success rate on the conversions front. Melbourne, who scored within the first five minutes with their first attack, became only the second side to accrue a try bonus point against the city side – all four of their tries came from their wings, the rapid Joe Travers and Andrew Brown.
Lichfield opened brightly, but a penalty allowed Melbourne into the home side ‘22’. A couple of mistimed tackles later, the defence was breached and Brown was over near the posts to make his own conversion straightforward. In the next ten minutes, Lichfield (back on the front foot) scored two of their own with Burton charging over from short distance and Maxwell-Keys intercepting on half way.
For the next quarter of an hour, the pattern remained similar with Lichfield having more of the play, but were unable to add to their tally. It needed an away side penalty from Brown after 33 minutes to give Lichfield the needed boost. Quick line out ball was run into midfield by two forwards, the ruck speed was perfect and an overlap was created for Lucas-Dumolo. Half time at 21-10 felt about right.
Melbourne, who had lost four of their line outs in the first half via Cal Turner, got themselves sorted after half time and managed to establish a better toe hold in the game, especially with their driven line out/mauls. Consequently, they were able to examine the Lichfield line speed and alignment more often and it was found wanting on 50 minutes when Travers was given space and there was no catching him. Soon after, Josh Butler was yellow carded and, when ‘Lich’ tried to defend a 5 metre scrum minus a back, it did not succeed and Brown squeezed in the corner. 21-20 now and an upset looked possible as the away side had taken control.
Success at any sport requires concentration and consistency of systems and processes – the longer they are in place and working, the more chance of winning. Concentration often goes following a score – both sides knocked on at kick offs after scoring tries – and so the late tackle after 65 minutes was so unproductive for Melbourne and changed the mood of the game. The resultant penalty was kicked to the corner and Burton was at the back of the maul as it rumbled over, Danny Griffin was deflated as he thought he had his hands on the ball. Not long afterwards, Lichfield exploited a shaken and weakened Melbourne rearguard and generated a 5 v 2 overlap, so that Maxwell-Keys finished comfortably near the posts.
There was still time for one last pacy attack from the visitors and there was no stopping Travers to earn his side a bonus point.
Next Saturday, Lichfield visit Paviors, who were also relegated from level 5 last season, with KO at 2:15pm (Burntstump Hill, Arnold, NG8 8PQ). Please come and support, it is likely to be a tough encounter (third v first).
The men’s 2s lost at home 27-17 to Syston and there was no women’s league rugby taking place. The colts made the long trek to Hereford and picked up a 2nd win in the league, 24-14. The women’s Red team (1s) are off to Hitchin this coming Sunday for a key league clash, as it’s 2nd versus first (KO 2:15pm).

Report c/o Dave Lewis

WEEKEND RESULTS

SATURDAY 11TH NOVEMBER
LICHFIELD 1XV 35 | 25 MELBOURNE 1XV
LICHFIELD 2XV 27 | 17 SYSTON 2XV

SUNDAY 12TH NOVEMBER
COLTS - HEREFORD COLTS 14 | 24 LICHFIELD COLTS
U16 - LICHFIELD 52 | 21 WILLENHALL
U14 - BROADSTREET 17 | 15 LICHFIELD
U14 GIRLS - KETTERING 00 | 44 LICHFIELD