‘DOUBLE’ DELIGHT FOR LICHFIELD

Lichfield 41 Bromsgrove 37

Lichfield completed a deserved ‘double’ over their higher placed opponents, Bromsgrove, outscoring the visitors to Cooke Fields by 6 tries to four. In a hard fought victory, Lichfield recovered impressively from 19 points down with under 30 minutes to play to remain in 6th position, 9 points above relegation play off place, but equally, only 3 points off promotion play off places in what is proving to be a closely contested Regional 1 Midlands League.

In perfect conditions, Bromsgrove kicked off and took an early lead when Lichfield were penalised for holding on at the ruck. Bromsgrove’s full back, who kicked solidly throughout, made no mistake with the resultant penalty kick.

Lichfield pressed from the restart and a marauding run by Jack Hurst took play up to Bromsgrove’s 22, leading to a penalty being conceded by the visitors for offside. Lichfield kicked to the corner, but were penalised for blocking at the ensuing lineout, allowing Bromsgrove to clear their lines.

The majority of the first 10 minutes was being played in the visitor’s half and Lichfield drew level when Bromsgrove conceded a penalty at the scrum under severe pressure from the Lichfield forwards. Charlie Milner added the points.

Lichfield lost possession from the kick off, a recurring feature of the game, as Bromsgrove followed up quickly on the host’s receiver. Bromsgrove recycled at pace, leading to a high tackle by Lichfield, the penalty kick to touch taking the visitors into Lichfield’s 22. Lichfield’s defence held firm against a series of drives, but were fortunate when Bromsgrove, playing under an advantage, created an opening wide right only to pass forwards with the try line beckoning. Bromsgrove came back for the penalty for offside in front of the posts. Bromsgrove took the 3 points on offer to lead 6-3 on 17 minutes.

Lichfield fought back. An excellent ‘50-22’ from Paul Maxwell-Keys led to a lineout 5m from Bromsgrove’s line. Lichfield secured the lineout and attacked the narrow side where a clever missed pass by Ditch Burton allowed Tyler Moseley to saunter over unopposed. The conversion was missed, but Lichfield led 8-6.

Lichfield again ‘coughed up’ from the kick off, but Bromsgrove were penalised in the next passage of play for not releasing. Lichfield cleared their lines to half way and from the ensuing lineout extended their lead with some clever play. Initially attacking centrally, the focus was switched right and a sublime delayed pass by Ditch Burton opened up Bromsgrove’s defence. Charlie Milner ran forwards at pace before kicking deftly through for Paul Maxwell-Keys to gather the ball at pace and score wide out. Milner added the points and Lichfield led 15-6 on 25 minutes.

Bromsgrove secured the ball from the kick-off and pegged Lichfield back. Lichfield conceded a penalty at a ruck, leading to an attacking lineout for the visitors. For the second time in the game, Bromsgrove, playing under a penalty advantage, missed a try scoring opportunity when they knocked on with a clear run in to the line. They ran the penalty, producing a number of quick ‘pick and go’ phases that stretched Lichfield’s defence before their full back spotted a gap, joining the line atto cross unopposed. The conversion was successful to close the gap: 15-13 after 30 minutes.

The next 10 minutes proved difficult and costly for the Myrtle Greens. On 32 minutes they lost their influential No. 8 Ditch Burton to a yellow card. On 35 minutes Bromsgrove regained the lead when their No. 8 barged over from close range and the conversion was successful.

Bromsgrove added to their lead shortly before half-time. With Burton still in the sin bin, Lichfield worked hard to repel further Bromsgrove attacks. Unfortunately, Maxwell-Keys sustained a knee injury, but play continued around him. Effectively down to 13 players, it was no surprise when ‘the pressure told’ and Bromsgrove created an opening to score another converted try, extending their lead at half-time to 27-15.

Maxwell-Keys was unable to continue, being replaced by Rhys Davies, but Lichfield were back to their full complement as Burton’s 10 minutes had expired.

Both sides had opportunities to score in the opening minutes of the second half, but were thwarted by errors and penalties respectively. It was the visitors who added to the scoreboard first on 52 minutes. A penalty kick took play inside Lichfield’s 22. From the lineout, a series of drives pulled in Lichfield’s defence. Bromsgrove’s fly-half, who controlled matters for the visitors throughout, saw a gap, shrugging off a challenge and bursting through to score by the posts. The 2 points were added and Bromsgrove led 34-15.

With just under 30minutes to play Lichfield had to score 3 times to register a win. They hit back almost immediately. Bromsgrove knocked on from the kick off. Lichfield, who enjoyed ascendancy in the scrum, won good ball and went blind down the narrow side. Another missed pass saw left winger Moseley break through the visitor’s defence. George Butler was quickly up in support to take a neat inside offload and crash over to reduce the deficit. Milner added the points.

Bromsgrove responded hard and Lichfield defended stoutly, one attack ending with the visitor’s No.8 being held up over the line. The pressure told and Lichfield conceded another penalty (only) for a high tackle which was converted to extend the lead to 15 points as the game entered the final quarter.

Lichfield dug deep to force their way back into the game. They camped in Bromsgrove’s 22 and repeated pick and drives sucked in their defence. The ball was finally moved

wide left, creating space for Tyler Moseley to cross with ease for Lichfield’s 4th try. The conversion was missed, but a vital bonus point was secured.

Bromsgrove again threatened, but Lichfield won a key turnover at the ruck to clear their lines. The crowd, swelled by ex players and staff from The Friary School, were being treated to an entertaining contest by two evenly matched teams. This was evident on 73 minutes when Lichfield narrowed the gap further. Bromsgrove were penalised for holding on and Lichfield opted to run the ball quickly. Bromsgrove’s cover was stretched and a clever chip kick over the defence saw Rhys Davies collect the ball at pace and score near to the posts for Milner to add the conversion. The visitor’s lead was down to 3 points with just over 5 minutes to play.

Lichfield were able to gain a foothold in their opponent’s 22 after winning a penalty in midfield for a high tackle. They won the lineout and the forwards set up a powerful driving maul. Bromsgrove were unable to defend a textbook drive and second row Chris Bennett was at the bottom as the Lichfield eight piled over their opponent’s line. The conversion was successful and Lichfield led for the first time since the 35th minute.

There were still 3 minutes to go and Bromsgrove, not for the first time regathered the ball from their kick off. The forwards drove hard into the Lichfield 22 winning a penalty on the 22. The visitors opted to run, but Lichfield’s defence again held firm and in what turned out to be the final passage of play, Bromsgrove were penalised for entering a ruck from the side. Lichfield tapped and kicked the ball into touch to win an enthralling contest.

Dogged determination and not a little skill at key moments won the day for Lichfield, their opponents being left to rue missed opportunities. This was very much a team victory: from the unsung front five, the tigerish flankers, the calm and cohesive combination at No.8, scrum half and fly half, the powerful centres, the attack and defence qualities of the back three and not forgetting the positive contributions of the three replacements.

An important bonus point victory.

Next week Lichfield travel to Newent, the Gloucester outfit having won all of their home games to date. Another tough encounter can be expected as the 2025/2026 season reaches a climax.

Report by Martyn Gabbitass