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# Lichfield RUFC come out on top in feisty encounter with Hereford
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/lichfield-rufc-come-out-on-top-in-fiesty-encounter-with-hereford/
- Published: 2013-03-05T14:23:38.000Z
- Updated: 2013-03-05T14:23:56.000Z
- Author: Lichfield RUFC
- Tags: #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 19:24

Lichfield RUFC drew on their strength in depth to return from Hereford with a 41-28 victory.

Among the absentees were Luke Taplin, who suffered a fractured skull in training, and James Clark, who was hospitalised by illness.

But despite their depleted ranks, the Greens began brightly. The opening exchanges saw both teams making errors, and it was from a lineout turnover that saw the first line break by Tom Adams. Greg Massey was on hand to run the ball in under the posts and convert.

From the kick off, Lichfield continued their attack, controlling the flow and direction of play. With the defence wary of strong midfield runners, the visitors started to move the ball wide and smart lines saw Dan Rowlands bundled into touch five metres short of the Hereford line. The Greens turned over the lineout and from the resulting drive, the ball was played close for Rich Burton to power his way over from close range. Massey converted, and the visitors were in full control with 15 minutes gone.

Lichfield were creating chances at will and twice found themselves in between the Hereford defence, but were unable to convert.

The hosts were starting to get frustrated and one break saw the Hereford eight clash with Ollie Winter, to earn himself a red, while the Lichfield man went to the bin for ten minutes for retaliating.

This spurred Hereford on and slowly their tight game worked them into the Lichfield half. A blindside break saw the visiting defence scrambling back to their five metre line, giving away a penalty to halt the pressure. The home pack showed their intent by pushing the Greens back over their try line to score their first try of the game. The extras were duly added.

Straight from the kick-off, Tom Adams turned over the ball and forward momentum saw the visitors go 20 metres closer to the line. Ollie Winter was dragged down metres short and great vision from returning scrum half Will Cotterhill saw a 15-metre pass perfectly floated for Brad Rowlands to run in unopposed. Massey converted and Lichfield reestablished their lead.

This was to be short lived, as a double error saw them firstly give a scrum away in their half and then let the Hereford backs run round them to score in the corner.

The final ten minutes of the half were full of the wrong type of action as Tom Adams was sin binned for a crunching tackle from the kick off which saw both teams grappling. Once the Hereford player recovered, he was also shown yellow for retaliating. The final yellow was shown to the Hereford hooker for a punch.

The half closed 14-21 to Lichfield, with one red and four yellow cards being shown in 40 minutes of rugby.

Thankfully, the second half was all about the rugby and the visitors again started the brighter, Brad Rowlands scoring in the corner from an excellent series of team play.

Lichfield were unable to exert the dominance they wanted and it was their mistakes that allowed Hereford to keep in touch on the scoreboard. For every try the Greens scored, Hereford replied.

With the score at 21-28, the level-headed approach was taken and kickable penalties were welcomed, Massey slotting a 30 metre strike from in front of the posts.

The extra man was starting to show and relentless defensive work saw the ball turned over by the visitors in their own 22\. An excellent kick ahead from Cotterhill saw Paul Maxwell-Keys sprint ahead and gather the ball, only to feed inside to the ever present Cotterhill to strike the killer blow. With Massey converting, the scoreline favoured Lichfield at 21-38.

With breathing room and an extra penalty on the board the game should have been wrapped up, but with Lichfield making too many errors in their own half, Hereford were gifted another try scoring opportunity which they gleefully accepted.

**Lichfield:** Taylor, McDonough, Bassett (c), Thompson, Turner, Winter, Milner, Burton; W Cotterhill, L Massey, B Rowlands, Maxwell-Keys, Adams, D Rowlands, G Massey. Subs: Craddock, Clarke and Lote.