Reporter: Will Parker

Lichfield U15’s v Wolverhampton U15’S – Friendly Match – 17th October 2021

KO 10:50am – The conditions were wet, it was drizzling at kick off time on the 2nd Team pitch
Lichfield played 1st half kicking off and playing away from the Club House end

Fairly quiet start to the game until…

6 mins – kick and chase from Lucas Laing and subsequent fly hack on led to Lucas being illegally impeded by the Wolverhampton defender, with the referee subsequently awarding Lichfield a penalty try

In this instance the conversion is automatically added

10 mins – Lichfield awarded a scrum but were penalised by the referee for the Hooker having his foot up prior to the ball being put in, another ‘first’ for the Lads! Free kick to Wolverhampton

13 mins – Sweeping move down the right hand side of the pitch with good ball retention and interplay saw Fynn Ward tackled high, penalty to Lichfield. Unfortunately, the kick to touch crossed the line over the dead ball area resulting in a 22m drop out to Wolverhampton and rather more unfortunately, one of the Lichfield players voiced his displeasure which the referee rightly took offence to and penalised Lichfield for foul and abusive language

The first period petered out with not really a lot happening

End of period 1 – Lichfield 7 - 0 Wolverhampton

21 mins – After concerted Wolverhampton pressure, and a succession of penalties against Lichfield, the Wolverhampton prop crashed over from 5m out to the left hand side of the posts

Conversion unsuccessful

25 mins – Penalty to Lichfield for a high tackle which was then reversed by the referee for ill-discipline from Lichfield, with Freddie Clarkson being substituted for a few minutes at the referee’s discretion

30 mins – Scrum to Lichfield in the Wolverhampton 22 which Lucas Laing took on the blind side and would have scored but for a brilliant Wolverhampton cover tackle in the corner

Half Time – Lichfield 7 – 5 Wolverhampton

31 mins – From the kick off Lichfield ran the ball back at Wolverhampton with some great interplay again, the ruck was formed but the Wolverhampton player didn’t roll away, penalty to Lichfield which Lucas Laing took and found a great touch kick to inside the Wolverhampton 22

33 mins – From the lineout the Wolverhampton scrum half shot through to put pressure on Will Fox but was deemed to have been offside. From the penalty Lichfield decided to tap and go and lost the ball in contact at the ruck. Wolverhampton broke from there into the Lichfield half and were awarded a penalty for infringement at the ruck and kicked for touch.

40 mins – penalty to Lichfield reversed AGAIN due to talking back to the referee! From this penalty, Wolverhampton picked up and drove from several rucks, then chipped over the top turning the Lichfield defence and they managed to regain possession with the Wolverhampton prop again crashing over the line from short distance

Conversion unsuccessful

43 mins – From the Lichfield restart after the try the Wolverhampton 2nd row gathered the ball and ran 60+ metres to outstrip the defence and score to the right hand side of the posts

Conversion successful

End of period 3 Lichfield 7 - 17 Wolverhampton

51 mins – Wolverhampton winger was brilliantly tackled into touch by Charlie Semple, which comically took out Pete Wiles running the touch – highlight of the miserable afternoon!

54 mins – Wolverhampton awarded a penalty on the Lichfield 22 which they decided to run with their big prop carrying, Hamish Cooper absolutely chopped him down but from the ruck the 2nd row picked up and crashed over again, try to Wolverhampton

Conversion successful

57 mins – Game stopped for an injury to Charlie Sayle, the Wolverhampton prop landed on his head (innocently), Charlie had to go off and will now be out for 3 weeks

59 mins – After great Lichfield pressure on the Wolverhampton line, Fynn Ward was carried over to score

Conversion unsuccessful

Final Score – Lichfield 12 - 24 Wolverhampton

Lichfield were architects of their own downfall in many ways today, 3 times from great attacking positions in the opposition 22 the referee reversed penalties because of Lichfield indiscipline which is unacceptable frankly. The lads were spoken to after the game by the referee and just reminded about what the expectation is in terms of standards of behaviour and sportsmanship, and in fairness the boys took this well, accepted that they had let themselves down a little and we will move on.

On the plus side though, there were some excellent passages of play and this group really pull together and play for each other with a never say die attitude which will stand them in good stead.

We put this reverse behind us, learn from it, and move on to the next match