Telford Hornets U15’s v Lichfield U15’s – Staffs Cup Semi Final – 28th November 2021

From Chief Sports Correspondent: Will Parker

KO 11:01am Lichfield kicked off and played towards the Clubhouse in the first half. Weather conditions were bright but bitterly cold with the pitch hard in places but just playable

8 mins Lichfield try. After a really strong start from the Lichfield team, with good ball retention and recycling Will Fox was tackled, we rucked over the ball, Will Beard picked up and drove into the Telford defence and set a further ruck up where the ball was moved out to Lucas Laing who used his side step twice to bewilder the Telford defence before running in to score under the posts, a great show of individual skill after outstanding team work

Conversion attempt by Lucas Laing successful

16 mins Telford try. Telford on a ruck in midfield and moved the ball out to the left winger who was able to outpace the Lichfield defence to score in the corner.

Conversion attempt unsuccessful

30 mins Telford pressurised the Lichfield line for what seemed like 5 minutes with a succession of attacking rucks and were brilliantly repelled by the Lichfield defenders, eventually they crossed the line but were held up and not able to ground the ball. From the resultant scrum Lichfield drove Telford off the ball to then clear their lines and drive the ball 50m upfield, absolutely magnificent defence by all, simply fabulous end to the half

Halftime Telford 5 – 7 Lichfield

33 mins Lichfield try. Lichfield pressured the Telford centres into fumbling the ball and from the turnover moved the ball out into the centre where Ruben Slack rounded 2 players and handed off 2 more to race over under the posts

Conversion successful by Lucas Laing

40 mins Telford try. After making their way to within 10m of the Lichfield line Telford were awarded a scrum that the No 8 picked up from to drive over for the score

46 mins Telford try. After 2 driving mauls from the lineout Telford moved the ball wide for the 12 to then cut back on the blind side and he managed to squeeze over in the corner

Conversion unsuccessful

56 mins Lichfield try. After a Telford scrum the ball was kicked for Leni Payne to field and return with interest breaking 2 tackles before feeding Ruben Slack who moved the ball on to Charlie Semple who then carried well into the Telford 22 before setting the ruck up, the ball was recycled to the 2nd pod of forwards who in turn recycled the ball at the ruck and moved the ball out to the backs where Freddie Clarkson broke into the line and gave an overhead pass to Will Beard who drove over to score to the left hand side of the posts – great team try!!

Conversion successful by Lucas Laing

65 mins Telford try. After a succession of penalties to Telford, and with them recycling the ball several more times the line was breached after valiant and outstanding defence from the Lichfield boys

Conversion unsuccessful

Full time Telford Hornets 22 – 21 Lichfield

What an outstanding performance from the whole Lichfield squad today in a game we weren’t really given a chance in, this side never gives in and always works until the final whistle. We learned a very hard lesson today (hopefully) that when the Ref calls last play of the game we need to secure the ball and, by hook or by crook, get the ball off the pitch so the Ref can blow up for full time. To lose the game in this way was very cruel and emotions ran high, it was good to see the passion and commitment form you all lads and the respect you all showed at the end in very trying circumstances, as a Coaching team, we were and are, very proud of you and you should all be proud of yourselves for the huge shift you put in today, you left everything on the pitch, and nothing in the tanks. We move on to the next challenge