This was always going to be a tough ask for the women’s Red team, still in the process of evolving, and so it proved. Cheltenham showed exactly why they are the best side in England outside the Premiership with a seven try victory in remarkably good conditions after all the rain overnight and in the morning. The surface was ideal as well.

Two quick fire tries for the visitors, both of which were preventable, gave them a 14-0 lead and more than a degree of comfort. For the next twenty minutes, Lichfield competed well without looking like scoring, yet this was definite progress. The Cheltenham defence was suffocating, especially in midfield, and hence progress forwards was slow with kicking rarely the option taken.

As good sides usually do, a third try was added by Cheltenham right on half time for a 21-0 lead and it was then a case of keeping the score line respectable, especially given the efforts of the whole Lichfield squad.

There were four further tries for the away side, two of which came after a game effort by Karolina Kacirkova in the 67th minute, which was the least the Red team deserved. The Cheltenham fly half, Erin Caughey, was marvellous throughout, always knowing when to run and when to kick effectively and she added five conversions. She had two handy centres alongside her and Meg Mambe’ at 7 was equally important to her side. A tough lesson at this stage of the season !

6 OCTOBER – AWAY TO SHEFFIELD 2:00PM

BIRMINGHAM MOSELEY 10 LICHFIELD (GREEN) 10 PTS

Lichfield earned two much appreciated league points with a very late penalty to deny the Birmingham Moseley side what would have been a slightly unexpected win. The home side led with a 28th minute try, which was more than cancelled out by Sarah Baugh’s effort less than 10 minutes later, which was converted by Nancy Stone.

On 56 minutes, Moseley scored a second try and it took until 79th minute for Lichfield Green team to draw level with a Stone penalty. On top of the round 1 victory, this gives some impetus into next week’s cup game.

NEXT WEEK – AWAY TO LONG EATON (NATIONAL CUP 1ST ROUND) 2:00PM