Lichfield RUFC expected a tough encounter against one of the pre-season title favourites and they were not disappointed as they went down to Sutton Coldfield.
Playing into a strong wind, the visitors were quickly on the back foot. The powerful home side surged ahead with three tries in a one-sided opening ten minutes. The Myrtle Greens were guilty of affording them far too much respect and space, which they exploited ruthlessly.
A brief period of first half resistance followed. Goodwin was carrying well off set piece and Joe Thompson became more prominent in the loose. Indeed Sutton only managed one further score before the break, tighthead prop Sean Harrison rounding off a sustained spell of try line pressure.
Bassett’s men were finally starting to warm to their task. Tom Paulson came to the fore with a strong second half display, while scrum half Cotterhill was a constant nuisance around the fringes.
The wind now at their backs, Lichfield were given plenty of opportunities to counter attack. Sutton were unable to maintain their impressive early structure and consequently the match became stretched. Finally, the away side could look to move the ball, penetrate the gain line and give something back to the travelling fans. Cotterhill was fittingly rewarded with a fine solo try, converted by Greg Massey.
The second half certainly served up a far more even contest. Sutton could only add two more tries, through Keylock and the elusive Tovey, to push their overall tally up to 40. An improved second half from the visitors was to be soured however. Second row Turner, having impressed once more, was forced off with a serious looking shoulder injury.
Lichfield will be hoping for an improvement when they entertain Walsall at Cooke Fields on Saturday (September 17), kick-off 3pm.
Lichfield: Taylor, Gabbitass, Bassett (c), Turner, Thompson, Paulson, Milner, Goodwin; W Cotterhill, J Massey, Rowlands, Adams, G Massey, G Cotterhill, Brear. Subs: Machin, Fennimore and Brown.
