Lichfield closed the gap on league leaders Long Eaton after picking up a bonus point win at Walsall.
They now lie just four points adrift of the table-toppers who were beaten by Paviors.
The opening 15 minutes were fiercely contested, but there was a lot of midfield stalemate as neither side could take control.
Walsall then – especially in the forwards – upped their game and after a series of drives from forwards and backs alike, they engineered their opening try. The Lichfield defence was holding well, but fly half Ben Pitt opted for going wide and full back Hansen Christoffersen scored easily on the overlap. Mitch Carless added the first of his three conversions.
The Walsall effort continued and they looked the likely next scorers.
However, in a three minute spell leading up to the half-hour mark, Lichfield struck back.
Walsall’s centres coughed up possession on the attack, with Kieran Higgins and Paul Maxwell-Keys launched an attack, with Tom Day in support to speed away from the cover and chasers to the posts.
This was soon followed by more good play, which took the visitors to the opposition 22. Quick phase ball, a feature of Lichfield’s efforts, caught Walsall unawares with Maxwell-Keys making a telling break and Cal Hagyard was on hand to score.
Kai Lucas-Dumolo converted both tries as Lichfield headed into half time 14-7 ahead.
The opening ten minutes of the second period were further confirmation of this momentum change. From a five metre line out, the forwards took the ball into midfield and with the Walsall defenders sucked in the ball went blind smartly and David Mott scored in the corner on 50 minutes.
Captain Charlie Milner returned to the fold shortly afterwards and with Rich Burton, Freddie Wilson and the excellent Cal Turner in the back five together, there were further encouraging and confident signs.
There were slightly unnecessary risks as well and this granted the hosts territorial advantage with just 15 minutes to go. More forward driving proved successful for Walsall and eventually Callum Hoy was unstoppable, as he smashed his way over from short range.
The home side were now back to within five points. Crucially, they were then penalised at the resultant kick off and Josh Butler coolly slotted the three points with his first ever kick at goal for the side.
That made a difference and with ten minutes to go another well directed grubber kick bounced its way on the unforgiving 4G surface to the Walsall left hand corner. Lichfield gained possession following the line out and this time it was the Myrtle Green forwards who proved their ability to drive forcefully as Turner scored under the posts, with Butler converting.
There was time for one last try for the Walsall backs. The ball was moved wide with skill and Max Brown dived over in the corner.
West Bridgford will be the next opponents at Cooke Fields next weekend as Lichfield look to keep up the pressure on Long Eaton.
Elsewhere, the 2nds did not play and the 3rds, still with a very mixed age team, defeated Tamworth 3rds 81-17, while the Colts lost to Stourbridge 20-12.
The women’s red team continue unchecked with another victory on the road at Old Albanians 2nds by 29-7.
They remain unbeaten and this win helps them to a 13 point lead over the same team with just four rounds to go, all at home. The side are averaging over 30 points per game and are conceding less than the equivalent of a converted try each match.
Leilah Mills, Lucrezia Lavarone and Hannah Johnston made telling contributions.
The red team’s next game is at home on 4th February against Cheltenham 2nds in the quarter final of the national Intermediate Cup.
The green team have an important match up at Old Silhillians this weekend.