Lichfield RUFC continued to ensure they have the upper hand on local rivals Burton after securing a 29-13 victory.
It was a fine display from the Greens, piecing together a very consistent display in both attack in defense.
The score was opened within five minutes, after a midfield arm wrestle saw Lichfield awarded a penalty for crossing. An excellent kick from Greg Massey settled the nerves and put his side in a lead they would never look back from.
Burton were very predictable and after their rolling maul had failed, the Greens defence turned over the ball and built their phases up the pitch. Continuity was high, and when full back Massey entered the line, he found the shortest route to they try line – straight through a would-be tackler. Massey converted his try to make the score 10-0 with only ten minutes played.
The visitors regrouped and a penalty straight from the kick off saw them trouble the scorer. The match descended slightly, as the breakdown became a lottery. A string of penalties ensued for Burton and Lichfield were unable to get the quick ball they wanted with bodies all over the place. It was Burton who took advantage of this, with Banton again converting a penalty in front of the posts to make it 10-6.
Play resumed and things again started to descend. This time is was the Burton number 8 who saw yellow for illegal use of the boot on the stroke of half time.
Lichfield reflected wisely at half time and came out to dominate the second half. It took only a minute as excellent set piece work saw fine team interplay for Brad Rowlands to finish superbly. Massey converted and with the score now at 17-6, the Greens began to show their supremacy.
A powerful midfield break from Tom Adams saw him travel up to the 22. With options either side, he fed inside to Rowlands who showed great speed and strength in evading a last-ditch tackle and making it over the line. The conversion was missed, but Lichfield led 22-6.
Burton tried to attack, but their one dimension approach and the physicality of the defence proved too much for them. The ball was turned over and the Greens showed their pace in breaking away into the 22. Fast support and an eye for the line, saw Massey pick and go from the ruck, running into open space to score unopposed. He added the extras.
The visitors pressed, but again their hosts defended strongly. A dubious penalty followed, seeing a Lichfield prop yellow carded. Confused looks all around, but it was Burton, now playing for pride that managed to score two unconverted tries.
Lichfield: Taylor, McDonough, Bassett (c), Thompson, Squire, Taplin, Milner, Burton; Clark, L Massey, B Rowlands, Maxwell-Keys, Adams, D Rowlands, G Massey. Subs: Machin, Upton and Lote.
