Lichfield RUFC saw their winning streak ended at Newbold-on-Avon.

The Rugby-based side put on an impressive display to hold out against the Myrtle Greens and deny them a sixth straight league win.

Much of the match saw Lichfield and Newbold exchange tries and penalties, with the hosts getting on the scoreboard within five minutes with a penalty.

Despite the back and forth nature, neither side was able to take complete command, the score at half-time 10-5 thanks to a try for Cal Turner.

The second period followed the back and forth nature of the first, with two penalties for Lichfield and one for Newbold, until the 67th minute when Turner was shown the yellow card.

The extra man allowed Newbold to open up the visiting defence and score a converted try.

The tension cranked up as the game reached the 80th minute with the teams sitting at 20-19 when Lichfield were awarded a last minute penalty.

But the kick drifted just outside the upright as the home side earned the win.

Lichfield’s head coach Dan Hemingway said:

“It was always going to be a tough game on a very difficult pitch, but it’s one we probably should’ve won.

“Newbold have made it work hard [for opponents] this season, especially on their ground and it was no different for us.

“It took us some time to adapt to how narrow the pitch was. We found ourselves running out of space and footwork was a real challenge as the ground gave way underfoot.

“Newbold know how to play their pitch and are really effective in doing so.

“I thought we defended really well and made them work for every inch. They threw the kitchen sink at us over and over again and were repelled, the irony being that it was actually our mistakes that let them in eventually.

“We suffered slightly for missing a number of specialist guys in the front five, but those who changed position worked really hard and did some good stuff.

“We continue to learn every week and the focus of the guys shifted immediately to the game next week.”

Lichfield RUFC head coach Dan Hemingway

Lichfield’s last fixture of 2019 is against Stoke at Cooke Fields on 21st December. There is, however, an additional fixture on 28th December when a President’s XV take on a Chairman’s XV, with ex-players urged to contact the club if they want to take part.