REPORTS
STUNNING LICHFIELD FIGHTBACK MAINTAINS WINNING RUN
WEST BRIDGFORD 1XV 28 | 29 LICHFIELD 1XV
Lichfield travelled to West Bridgford (Nottingham) seeking a win to continue their impressive start to the season. Equally, their hosts were looking to maintain their unbeaten run also…Something had to give and the game lived up to the expectations.
With the sun and strong breeze behind them, West Bridgford forged ahead, leading 21-0 after only 13 minutes courtesy of three converted tries. Two were scored from close range following forwards’ pressure, the third, sandwiched between, a flowing backs’ movement.
Lichfield rallied and were awarded a penalty following a high tackle. The resultant line out close to their opponent’s try line was initially lost, but the ball was knocked back loosely by West Bridgford. Charlie Milner was alert and won the frantic race to touch down. Kai Lucas-Dumolo added the conversion brilliantly from wide out: two points proving to be crucial at the final whistle.
West Bridgford continued to press as Lichfield struggled to get a firm foothold in the game, not helped by conceding a series of penalties. On a rare forage into their opponent’s 22, Lichfield created an opportunity, but were unlucky to knock-on with an overlap beckoning. On 31 minutes they also lost loosehead prop Danny Griffin to injury, although he was able to resume later in the game and be a constant thorn in West Bridgford’s side.
The home side extended their lead on 36 minutes when their Number 8 was driven over from a line out close to Lichfield’s line. The conversion was successful, the lead was now again 21 points. This proved to be West Bridgford’s last score and it was Lichfield who bossed the final minutes of the first half. They turned over the ball from the resultant kick off and won a penalty for a high tackle. Spurning the three points on offer, Lichfield gained ground into their opponent’s 22. Quick ball from multiple phases stretched West’s defence and Harry Hitchen eased through a gap near the posts with Lucas-Dumolo adding the extras.
Lichfield went in at the break 28-14 down, but importantly still in touch and with the breeze in their favour.
A memorable 40 minutes followed. Whatever was said at the break had the desired effect. Lichfield played with a ferocious intensity, smothering their opponents who failed to register a point in the second half. Lichfield’s scrum was rock solid and gained the upper hand; the line out functioned with front ball being the ‘go to’ option to negate taller opponents and also the effect of the strong breeze.
The first score would prove vital and it went Lichfield’s way. Pressure at the line out led to another loose knock back by West Bridgford, allowing Lichfield to gain ground to their opponent’s 22. A crooked throw followed and Lichfield took the scrum option. Again, impressive close quarter phases put pressure on West’s defence, culminating in a subtle offload from Rich Burton to Rory Davis, who crashed over near the posts for a third converted try on 47 minutes.
West Bridgford suffered a blow when their influential No.12 was helped off injured shortly afterwards.
Lichfield were playing with determination and used the strong breeze to good effect to keep play inside their opponent’s 22. West Bridgford defended resolutely and on two occasions disrupted ball from Lichfield scrums close to their try line, clearing to touch.
However, Lichfield were not to be denied. On 62 minutes, Sam Benson, on as replacement scrum half for the impressive Seb Smith, broke down the blind side near the halfway line. Kai Lucas-Dumolo and Paul Maxwell-Keys were quickly up in support and clever interplay saw Maxwell-Keys run in a classic Lichfield score. In the strengthening wind, Lucas-Dumolo was unable to add the points.
There was now only two points between the sides and West Bridgford enjoyed their best period of the second half. They attacked strongly, leading to Lichfield conceding penalties and allowing West to win a line out close to Lichfield’s line. Lichfield’s pack were able to disrupt the subsequent maul and were rewarded by their efforts with a scrum from which they were able to clear their lines.
The game entered the last 10 minutes with both teams seeking the crucial score. Lichfield edged in front on 70 minutes with a penalty by Kai Lucas-Dumolo after West’s player held on in the tackle. Lichfield’s back row of Hitchen, Burton and Milner were a constant threat in the loose throughout the game. A further penalty on 77 minutes was missed, but the majority of play was in West Bridgford’s half over the closing minutes.
West Bridgford had one last sortie into Lichfield’s half, but the Myrtle Greens held on for a memorable victory, having recovered from 21-0 down and equally impressive, holding their opponents to nil in the second half.
All 18 squad players contributed to this thrilling victory and can be proud of their stunning fightback. The smiles on supporters’ faces lasted all the way back to Lichfield. Next week’s top of the table clash with Dronfield at Cooke Fields cannot come too soon.
Report c/o Martyn Gabbitass
LICHFIELD LADIES
The women’s two senior sides were in a league action on Sunday. The Red team were once again heading up north, this time to West Park Leeds, who have been a dominant side in this competition in recent seasons. Lichfield came away with a pleasing 25-14 win, which takes them back to third position, as Cheltenham could only draw at Buckingham Swans 19 apiece. There were tries for Draycott, Williams, Kacirkova and Edmondson with one conversion and a penalty for Draycott.
The Green team were not so fortunate after leading for a large part of the game and were scoreless in the 2nd half, as they went down to a home defeat 19-26 against Bridgnorth Bulls. Robinson, Baugh and Simmons contributed tries and there were two conversions from Pap, as the side lost their unbeaten start, but remain in mid table at this early stage.
The girls 12s won their game at Stafford and the 14s were unsuccessful in their match against Liverpool St Helens, whilst the 16s trained with Leicester Forest’s players.
COLTS
The Red team colts survived a difficult afternoon in their local derby against Sutton Coldfield, winning with a penalty mid way through the second period. In a very tight game, there were no points at all by half time, before the visitors took the lead shortly after half time with a converted try by Corbett. This galvanised the Lichfield side into action and Ruben Slack crossed for a welcome try, which Lucas Laing converted and it was he who added the crucial penalty to gain the Red team a 10-7 win. The penalty count was too high, earning two yellow cards, but the defensive effort from Charlie Semple and Rees Scoggins in the back row was first class, with captain Lewis Smith driving his side on to maintaining an unbeaten start in this tough league this season.
The Green team once again battled really hard against another older and more experienced side, just losing 43-36 at Kidderminster, there is still progress being made.

The boys 16 s needed a late try to defeat Stafford 36-29 in a league game, having been in front for the majority of the game before being pegged back by the visitors. Conversely, the 14s lost to a late try again with Barton u Needwood grabbing the crucial score to win 26-24, whilst the 13s won their county cup 2nd round match by 30-0 away at Cannock.
Those boys, girls and parents, who went to watch the Leicester Tigers match v Saints on Saturday evening as part of the club’s 150 celebrations (the Lichfield takeover), had a wonderful experience. There were up to 200 Lichfield representatives there and they were, poignantly, able to see ex Lichfield M/J Joe Woodward have another solid outing in his first Gallagher home start for the hosts.

Ladies & Colts c/o Dave Lewis
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