Playing on the first team pitch against last year’s County Cup runners-up - this was not ever going to be an easy game. Barton have been a consistently well coached and strong team for several years and have got the better of us on several occasions over the years.

Barton started strongly with an initial knock on from Lichfield immediatley from the kick off. The home team were pinned on their try line, but defended like their lives depended on it. Barton finally found a gap and breached the Lichfield defence. Classic forwards try, but very well taken.

Lichfield responded immediately thanks to Hamish Cooper doing what a flanker does best and clearing up any loose ball from the break down, giving Lenni Payne the oppurtunity to show off his fancy foot work and raw pace to score our first try.

After several phases of play it was clear that Lichfield were starting to get in their stride, dominating the scrum and break down allowing the backs to starting to play with some freedom. Lichfield were attacking with free flowing rugby with backs and forwards combining to keep the ball alive. Lucas Laing decides to have a go himself from 20 yards out, after several phases of play. Putting in the most ridiculous side step to go through a gap that did not exist. Until he created it! (Still have no idea how he did it) I am sure the Barton lads are thinking the same, whilst nursing their twisted ankles.

Barton is not a team to sit back, but it was clear, even their stronger strike runners were struggling to break through the Lichfield defence.
The third try was created from some great inter play from the forwards , several phases of picking and going with forwards moving direct and looking for the off load in the tackle. Barton were now being forced to work hard in defence and inevitabley sucked into the breakdown. Foxy shiped a great pass out to the backs who took the ball at full pace, Lucas Laing drew in his defender, quick hands from Fynn Ward who was under pressure to get the pass out to Matt Tooley, who put the hammer down, and left the Barton backs in his wake. Great team try and well finished. Conversion successful for Lucas.

Barton penalty on Lichfield 5 m line, quickly taken, Lichfield probably a bit guilty of sitting back and waiting for the contact, instead of meeting it head on. He was a very big lad though! Try scored.

The fourth try was so well deserved for Hamish Cooper, who had worked tirelessly all game along with his fellow flanker Akeem Njie. Again lovely interplay with all players supporting and looking for the offload giving an overlapping Hamish the opportunity to go outside the Barton winger - showing his natural raw power and pace to score a really well worked try.

Consistent pressure from all 15 players in defence was causing problems for Barton, who were struggling to get a foot hold in the game. Freddie Clarkson consistently terrorised their fly half. He was a fly halfs worst nightmare today.

Lucas Laing second try. It sounds like I am repeating myself, but so many players were involved, ball shipped out from the breakdown. Just great hands from all players involved - who timed their passes to perfection. Lucas Laings eyes lit up as the space opened up for him to show his pace and another great try. Converted successfully by Lucas.

Barton Score and convert. Sorry can’t remember much about that one.

Really pleased for CJ to get a try today. He dealt with their giant strike runner, who was twice his size on countless occasions. Fynn Ward cuts back in inside, breaks the gain line and takes out two Barton defenders, ball offloaded to Foxy, who goes off on one his winding slicing runs, going through 3 Barton players. Ball is quickly moved to the right, great to see CJ back his pace and blast to the try line.

The general theme running through this match report is that every try was a team try, involving forwards and backs. It was to date the most complete performance this Lichfield team have ever put together. You should be really proud of your selves today.

Regards a very proud Coach

Tonksy