MELBOURNE 28 LICHFIELD 1ST XV 25 PTS

A Melbourne try scored by Brayton Taylor deep into (very dark) injury time condemned Lichfield to a first defeat of the season, as the two sides produced a compelling, ding dong encounter. It was not a classic, but any of the three results remained possible throughout. Melbourne earned themselves five points and Lichfield one, but that may be significant, as Dronfield lost at home to 14 man Walsall and received no points, so the gap is 6 points now.

The pitch was in decent condition, it has been increased in size slightly this season, although the smaller confines do suit their forward style of play. As they were in September, they proved tough opponents, who are not easy to break down and they did defend well on the day. Lichfield played well enough, yet were not quite at the level they needed to be and made costly little mistakes at crucial times. We suspect Saturday’s game at home to Newark can’t come quickly enough ! (KO 2.15pm)

The visitors started well, looked confident and moved the ball around the pitch effectively. Hence, there was soon a try for Paul Maxwell-Keys wide out. This ascendancy did not last long and the game became more of a midfield battle. On 15 minutes, Taylor scored the first of his three tries. He is a hybrid flanker in the mould of Ben Earl, is a decent carrier of the ball and he reacted quickest when Lichfield momentarily stopped, thinking there had been a knock on. Will Cresswell converted and he and Kai Lucas-Dumolo then traded penalties either side of the 20 minute mark.

From a clever penalty move five metres out, Taylor eased his way through a gap for try number two, Cresswell was again on the mark. Lichfield had chances to close the gap before the break, but were not able to move their points tally on. The half finished with a mass scuffle, which certainly galvanised the myrtle green troops at the start of the second half.

It was not long enough before Lichfield were able to draw level and it was, rightly so, Ditch Burton, who scored. He did an immense amount of work carrying into contact and Owen Boxall, in particular, was not far behind him. Jack Hamlet came on in the front row for his league debut in the senior side and he did not let the side down.

A Cresswell penalty put the home side back in front and this sparked off one of Lichfield’s best periods of play. After multiple phases of play, Melbourne ran out of defenders and Maxwell-Keys scored near the posts for Lucas-Dumolo to convert.

Play was now going more from end to end. Lichfield did not exit well from the kick off following the above try and eventually Andy Brown escaped the stretched cover to score in the corner (23-22 to Melbourne). Midfield offside in their ‘’22’’ afforded Lichfield another successful penalty for Lucas-Dumolo.

The kick off did not end well again for Lichfield and the home side were in enemy territory. Play did not seem to be going anywhere and a speculative kick into the Lichfield ‘’22’’ evaded everyone, except Taylor – for the winning try. Somehow, there was still time for more play, the Melbourne rearguard held firm enough, however, for a victory that certainly meant a lot to them.

For the record, the tries at Tamworth were scored by Burton (4), David Mott (3), Freddie Wilson (2), Chris Bennett, Sam Benson and Lucas-Dumolo (plus 6 convs).

c/o Dave Lewis