Lichfield were looking forward to this home game in order to reinforce their recent good run of form and cement their position in the top four.
Old Laurentians had a fine victory away to Old Hales the previous week and so Lichfield could not afford to under estimate their opponents.
The game started badly for the home team, the influential Tom Paulson, who had just returned from injury was sidelined again in the sixth minute, forcing an immediate reshuffle and seeing the early introduction of the experienced John Hicks.
The visitors struck first, their pacy winger shocking the home defence for a fine try after eight minutes.
Lichfield responded immediately with a period of sustained pressure, a fine Greg Massey break being rounded off by George Cotterhill to bring the scores level at 5-5.
The game was going from end to end at this stage and in the 17th minute winger Bayliss struck again to give the visitors a 10-5 lead.
Lichfield’s woes were compounded when Greg Massey had to leave the field to be replaced by Richard Fielding and force another reshuffle, this time in the backs.
Old Laurentians had their tails up and the home side were struggling to keep up with their determined opponents. Unusually, the stingy Lichfield defence were falling off tackles and allowing their opponents to dictate affairs.
A penalty and another try stretched the visitors’ lead to 18-5. Lichfield needed a response and showed what they could do if they kept their composure and went through the phases, Charlie Milner rounding off some fine play to score near the posts, Josh Massey added the extras to send the hosts in at the break 18-12 in arrears.
The second half started with the Myrtle Greens still struggling to find their rhythym and the visitors doing their best not to allow a pattern to develop.
In the 50th minute the referee yellow carded Rich Burton and Old Laurentians took full advantage during this period scoring two tries to stretch their advantage to 28-12.
Will Cotterhill, already playing out of position in the centre retired hurt, to be replaced by Ollie Savage in an unfamiliar role of back row allowing flanker Rich Burton to drop into centre. At this stage the team bore no resemblance to the original selection. Josh Massey had picked up an earlier injury but bravely played out the last 25 minutes.
Old Laurentians prospered during this period, a charge down try and a freak try from a quick throw illustrating clearly that this was not to be Lichfield’s day.
Credit to the hosts for not giving up and they were rewarded with the final try at the death, Dave Bassett going over and Josh Massey converting to make it 42-19.
Lichfield have the opportunity to put things back on track next week with a game against old rivals Walsall who will be desperate for a win having already lost twice to the Myrtle Greens this season.
Lichfield: Sowden, Gabbitass, Bassett (c), Thompson, Squire, Burton, Milner, Paulson; Butler, J Massey, Brown, G Massey, W Cotterhill, G Cotterhill, Brear. Subs: Savage, Hicks and Fielding.
