Lichfield RUFC’s final home game of the season saw a bumper 500-plus crowd enjoy a 65-19 triumph over Market Bosworth.

Dave Bassett
Dave Bassett

The fixture also saw skipper Dave Bassett lead out his side for the final time at home.

Lichfield had struggled to defeat at Bosworth earlier in the season and the league’s bottom side showed their fighting qualities again, but found the hosts’ pace and power too hot to handle this time round.

After early pressure the Greens were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and Josh Massey duly opened the home the scoring on five minutes.

Tom Adams, making his return following a trip to the Hong Kong Sevens, scored the first of his hat trick three minutes later, before the league’s top try scorer Greg Massey bagged his first of the day with a quarter of an hour played, converted by brother Josh.

Following a long period of scrummaging dominance inside the Bosworth 22, Lichfield were awarded a penalty try on 25 minutes which was converted by Josh Massey. Powerful winger Dan Rowlands then finished off the first half scoring with an unconverted try on half-an-hour.

Lichfield entered the break with the bonus point in the bag, but Bosworth were not going down without a fight and had a try of their own to show for their efforts.

The second half started with a bang with Greg Massey scoring his second in the opening stages. Adams then picked up his second with Josh adding the extras.

The scoring continued at quite a pace with Paul Maxwell-Keys crossing on 50 minutes, converted by Josh Massey.

Greg Massey finished his hat trick before Adams completed his on 65 minutes with an interception run in from 40 metres out with the extras added this time by Luke Massey.

One of the loudest cheers greeted the final try which was a 40 metre effort from second row Callum Turner with Josh rounding off Lichfield’s tally.

Bosworth never gave up and ended with three tries which – despite Lichfield’s position as champions confirmed – will have disappointed the home coaching team.

Lichfield finish their league campaign away at Old Laurentian this week before taking a week off for Easter and then returning on April 26 in the Staffordshire Cup Final against Walsall. There will, however, be a final at Cooke Fields this week with the 2nd XV welcoming Bournville in the West Midlands Reserve League Cup Final.

Lichfield: Taylor, Gabbitass, Bassett (c), Turner, Squire, Taplin, Milner, Burton; Evans, L Massey, J Massey, Maxwell-Keys, Adams, D Rowlands, G Massey. Subs: Prior, Clarke, Wedgwood.