MATCH REPORT
LICHFIELD COLTS 19 | 11 WALSALL COLTS SATURDAY 4TH MAY
STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY CUP FINAL
Lichfield colts won their first county title since 2006, amazingly, with a hard fought victory over a Walsall side, which could not generate enough momentum with more than 50% of the possession and a lion’s share of the penalties. So, Lichfield made up for last season’s defeat with the final play of the game against Wolverhampton and were rewarded for a golden 12 minutes in the middle of the first period when they scored three tries and all of their nineteen points.
This side has had to work hard for this success after a slow start to the campaign with more defeats than victories. The coaches have worked on individual and collective skills and their version of a rush defence is one of the key developments and therefore there was a barrier set up, which was only crossed once. There is a good nucleus of this year’s squad, who will be available next season with more talent coming through into this age group, which all looks very promising at this stage. Winning their league, after finishing fourth this year, is a definite target.
Walsall had all the early pressure and territory, aided by a succession of penalties at line outs close in, and eventually they opted for a shot at goal, which Noah Beaty slotted over for an eighth minute lead. Lichfield responded positively and retained possession through a number of breakdowns to create an overlap for Charlie Jackson to score wide out on the right. This 5-3 lead did not last long as Beaty was able to kick a second penalty for Walsall.
This once again fuelled Lichfield’s ambitions and on 23 minutes, Henry Quance scored try number two after the forwards drove over from a close range line out. Josh Butler converted this and about sixty seconds later, he scooped up a loose ball and won the foot race to the left corner and his second conversion put his side 19-6 up. A chance to extend this lead with an offence under the posts was not taken and the quickly tapped penalty led to nothing tangible. Hence, half time was reached still thirteen points in Lichfield’s favour.
The second half slowly became bogged down in a midfield neutrality with neither side able to break free of a tightening log jam. A lack of scoring just added to all of this and Beaty missed a relatively straightforward penalty after 15 second half minutes and thereafter reverted to kicking the many penalties his side received to the touchline. Too many line outs produced slow ball and the Lichfield defence gobbled up the Walsall runners, even when yellow cards had been issued.
Whilst Lichfield rarely got into the Walsall red zone, they seemed comfortable enough ‘’sitting’’ on their lead. However, five minutes from the end Walsall at last used their forward runners to good purpose and, after a few drives near the line, Louie Peake forced his way through the Lichfield rearguard. The barrier had been crossed.
Lichfield raised their game thereafter and comfortably saw out the final moments in the Walsall half and so won this elusive title once more. Tamworth beat Leek in the plate final, 25-22.
Congratulations go to captain, Fraser Eadie, and the entire squad for all their hard endeavours this season, with a team of very capable coaches driving though all the improvements required.
Reverting to the previous weekend, some of this colts side had experienced another final, this time the Reserve sides county competition. Leek won 28-19 at home, matching the three tries scored by Lichfield, but they had kicked three penalties in the opening 12 minutes, which proved to be the winning margin. Jack Hamlet, Matt Turner and Chad Southam scored for ‘Lich’ with two Southam conversions. It is understood that the 2nd XV will be in an official RFU league next season, which is much needed, at level 11 (the 1s are level 6).
Ben Ashmore and Ben Crawford, who made his debut for the 1s at Northampton Old Scouts a week ago, are in the county U20s team played Warwickshire on Sunday winning 41-21 at Broadstreet RFC. Jack Dace, Kieran Reynolds and Tom Day were in the county side, which played Midlands Police last Thursday evening winning 47-5 at Burton RFC.
Finally, this is a reminder that the women’s 1st XV (Red team) are in the Papa John’s Intermediate final at Twickenham on Sunday (12th) at 3pm and a more detailed preview will appear over the next few days. Interested in going to the game on a coach from the club, contact Molly Sanghera (email womenandgirlsrugby@lichfieldrugby.co.uk).

Report c/o Dave Lewis