This was the keenest of contests between Lichfield RUFC and local rivals Walsall RUFC – and while there were plenty of mistakes from both teams there was no shortage of commitment and enterprise to satisfy a good turn out of spectators.
Walsall got off to a flyer, a defensive lapse allowing their pacy second row to go over virtually unopposed in the first minute.
In the 13th minute the visitors struck again slotting a penalty for an 8-0 lead. That remained the score until half time although it was certainly a far from boring half of rugby.
The second half sparked Lichfield into life and a break from centre Tom Adams, his first of many in a Man of the Match performance set up Brear for a try in the 46th minute.
Forward pressure told in the 50th minute when Lichfield pounded the visitors line, Rich Burton eventually going over and the Myrtle Greens were in front at 10-8.
Lichfield were back in arrears 10 minutes later when Walsall’s strong running centre crashed over for a converted try and the lead at 15 -10.
Tom Adams then scored a fine individual try which was converted to give Lichfield a 17-15 lead in the 62nd minute.
A strong home scrum on their opponents five-metre line caused havoc in the Walsall pack and Will Cotterhill who had had a good afternoon powered over for a deserved try converted by Mark Rose and a 24-15 lead with ten minutes remaining.
Walsall narrowed the deficit in the 75th minute with a penalty and the game was in the balance at 24-18.
Lichfield appeared to have done enough but in the last play of the game Harvey Wotton pierced a flimsy home defence to go over under the posts, the simplest of conversions was greeted by the final whistle and Walsall had their revenge and a victory by the narrowest of margins.
The Myrtle Greens had outscored their opponents by four tries to three and had missed a conversion in front of the posts which would have secured victory but credit to Walsall for a tenacious display and their dogged determination throughout.
Lichfield will look to bounce back to winning ways this Saturday (April 9) with a trip to Worcester Wanderers.
Lichfield: Sowden, Gabbitass, Bassett (c), Hicks, Squire, Burton, Laxton, Thompson; W Cotterhill, J Massey, Brown, Adams, G Cotterhill, Brear, Rose. Subs: Taylor, Finnemore and Butler.
