Lichfield went into their final home game of the season against a resurgent Stratford side needing a confidence boosting performance in preparation for their Staffordshire Cup Final against Burton.
The Myrtle Greens also wanted to repay their supporters for their commitment to the team this season and so it was a determined Lichfield side that went into the kick off.
The game couldn’t have started better, the hosts showed committed defence against an early Stratford onslaught and then broke out in the third minute for the evergreen Matt Brown to score in the corner, Greg Massey slotting the extras and the home side were 7-0 in front.
In the 15th minute Greg Massey completed a fine double, try and conversion, to stretch Lichfield’s advantage to 14-0.
Seven minutes later Gareth Brear rounded off some fine interplay and continuity to cross wide out and again Massey was on target to put Lichfield 21-0 ahead.
This was far from a walk in the park and Stratford continued to threaten particularly through their powerful forwards and in the 30th minute, after a series of powerful forward drives, the home defence was finally breached by the Stratford prop to narrow the deficit to 21-5.
Just before half time the visitors continued their purple patch and scored a try through their winger to bring proceedings to a close and make the half time score 21-10.
Half time saw Lichfield regroup and refocus and within a minute of the kick off Greg Massey got his second try, another conversion and a 28-10 lead.
Stratford were not out of the contest and their mobile second row got a try back to reduce the margin to 28-15.
The Myrtle Greens’ back row of Finnemore, Burton and Laxton were immense in attack and defence. The tight five of Bassett, Gabbitass, Taylor, Squire and Thompson had a fine game as a unit, carrying plenty of ball and supplying the continuity missing in the last few weeks. The determination shown in defence was back to the early season displays and they were again dominant at the set piece.
The backs had another reshuffle. Butler and Will Cotterhill controlled proceedings at half back and the midfield pairing of Adams and Massey were dominant in attack and defence. The back three of George Cotterhill, Brown and Brear saw plenty of ball and were keen to counter attack at every opportunity.
Lichfield were now dominating possession and territory going into the final quarter and Stratford were visibly tiring after their determined defensive display.
Laxton cut a great line for a well deserved try in the 49th minute, Massey again adding the extras for a 35-15 lead.
Milner, Sowden and Smith were employed to bring some fresh impetus to the attack and the final score of the game came after another period of sustained pressure, George Cotterhill showing a combination of pace and power to crash over in the corner, Massey having his first miss of the game from wide out, the referee brought proceedings to a close at 40-15.
The scoreline doesn’t reflect how hard Lichfield had to work against committed opposition to earn this morale boosting victory.
It really was a team performance and puts the team into a positive frame of mind for the cup final tomorrow (April 20).
Lichfield: Taylor, Gabbitass, Bassett (c), Thompson, Squire, Burton, Laxton, Finnemore; Butler, W Cotterhill, Brown, Adams, G Massey, G Cotterhill, Brear. Subs: Sowden, Milner and Smith.
