MATCH REPORT

LICHFIELD 67 MELLISH 7 PTS
MEN’S 1st XV – REGIONAL 2 MIDLANDS NORTH (ROUND 14)

In the words of your archetypal football manager, ‘’we got the job done’’ on Saturday. This was a no fuss, stay focused and do the basics well performance, which meant Lichfield could help themselves to eleven tries. These were roughly evenly split across the two halves, which in turn meant that there was no switch off once the game was won – this had happened at Mellish in September. So well done to the 18 on duty and it was a sign of better form after three lacklustre performances leading up to Christmas.
Mellish came into the game with only one victory to date, but have been competitive more often than not this season (per their results) and showed signs, especially during a ten minute spell in the first half, of causing Lichfield some problems. Their captain, Will Cresswell, does not look like your typical fly half, however, with some possession he showed neat touches, including a clever kick pass to his full back on 22 minutes for their only try. Dan Crampton accepted the gift and made the conversion easy for Cresswell. Mellish, after a tough start and under a lot of pressure, were back in it at 10-7 down.
Soon afterwards, on two occasions, Mellish were through the Lichfield defence and did not score. The second time, it was David Mott, who intercepted on his own ‘22’’, to bring it to a halt. Moments later Jack Fielding was sprinting clear with his trademark winger’s speed and the game was won. The Mellish body language changed in an instant.
In an eight minute window either side of half time, Lichfield exploited this change in the tide with four tries to go from 17-7 to 41-7. Before half time, Paul Maxwell-Keys ran over his opposite number to score by the posts and then Tom Day won a foot race, just, to his favourite corner for try number five. The handbrake was fully off now and Lichfield were motoring, Freddie Wilson added two more by the 46th minute, one from 3 metres and one from ten times further.
The home side started to look more like their true selves, as the game really opened up. Kai Lucas-Dumolo was the next scorer from a perceptive pass from Maxwell-Keys. Lucas-Dumolo also added six conversions once he had adjusted his radar early on. The scoring continued with Maxwell-Keys (2), emphasizing his recent form, and then in the final minute, Mott squeezed in the right corner.
Hemo got what he wanted, which was a bright and positive start to the match. ‘Lich’ had a monopoly of possession and territory for the opening six minutes and this paved the way for Jack Dace to prove himself unstoppable from short range. Lichfield remained on top and doubled their lead five minutes later as Fielding’s pace again was crucial. Despite the slight wobble, which followed these two tries, the base was there for a satisfying win.
So, have Lichfield turned the page in their season ? The next chapter is at Delves Road (WS1 3JY) this Saturday at 14:15 hrs., so book yourselves in for what is bound to be a competitive afternoon on Walsall’s 4G pitch.
Lichfield’s women’s 1st XV maintained their perfect start to their campaign with a 31-7 win at Shelford on Sunday. Next weekend they travel to face Old Albanians 2s in a 1st versus 2nd match, which could therefore be decisive in settling the outcome of Championship 2 Midlands. KO is 14:15 hrs on Sunday.
There was action for the men’s 2s and 3s on Saturday, both in their respective leagues and both were successful. The 2nd XV started well, but found Nuneaton much more resilient in the second period and eventually had to fight back for a 30-26 victory at home. Seb Smith, Jack Hamlet, Eddy Kilminster, Callum Shields, James McKenzie and Benjamin Crawford (also kicked 5 points) scored the tries, Joe Bourne on his return to action suffered a nasty shoulder injury. The 3s, with a very mixed age team, had to contend with some testing ground conditions and won 14-12 at Willenhall (2s).
On the injury front in the men’s side, it can be reported that captain, Charlie Milner, hopes to be back training this week, whilst Harvey Wootton and Ditch (11 from 11) Burton are both still doing rehab for their respective injuries. Sam Benson continues to abide by the rules on concussion protocols.

WEEKEND RESULTS
SATURDAY 7th JANUARY
LICHFIELD 1XV | LICHFIELD 1XV 67 | 07 MELLISH 1XV (ROUND 14)
LICHFIELD 2XV | LICHFIELD 2XV 30 | 26 NUNEATON 2XV
LICHFIELD 3XV | WILLENHALL 2XV 12 | 14 LICHFIELD 3XV
SUNDAY 7TH JANUARY
LADIES 1XV | SHELFORD LADIES 07 | 31 LICHFIELD 1XV
UNDER 13 BOYS | CAMP HILL 05 | 40 LICHFIELD
UNDER 15 BOYS | LICHFIELD 37 | 38 OLD YEDS
UNDER 16 GIRLS | LUTTERWORTH 00 | 50 LICHFIELD
UNDER 14 GIRLS | LUTTERWORTH 29 | 17 LICHFIELD