Lichfield got the better of Sandbach to record a 27-19 victory.
Both teams were worth the entertainment as the valiantly tried to move the ball but a few too many errors saw the opening exchanges take place across the middle of the pitch.
It was Sandbach who struck first as Lichfield were penalised at the breakdown. The visitors kicked to the corner and were able to play through their phases, the home defence eventually being outnumbered and the opening score coming on 17 minutes.
The Greens had their chances as darting breaks from Cotterhill and Greg Massey failed to materialise into scores.
Luke Massey did eventually get Lichfield off the mark on 25 five minutes with a straightforward penalty. Neither team were able to add to their tally as an error strewn half closed at 3-5.
The home side started the second half with a bang. A few tweaks in their play and knowing Sandbach wouldn’t kick allowed them to dominate the early exchanges as Massey again added another penalty before brother Greg sliced through the defence and chipped the fullback for a converted try.
This purple patch settled Lichfield’s attack and allowed their defence to get on top. Big hits were coming from everyone, Dan Rowlands’ effort most notable on the number 8. It was this physicality that was causing Sandbach to turn over the ball in the wrong areas and Lichfield pounced as a superbly worked try was created for Luke Massey to finish and convert.
This was beginning to become a familiar story for the visitors as pressure at a ruck chased the ball to come loose and an aware Maxwell-Keys picked up to sprint in under the posts. Massey again converted to take his haul to 22 points for the game.
The Sandbach second row was badly injured in this play, suffering a dislocated elbow. This meant the game we shifted onto the second team pitch for the remaining 15 minutes. This seemed to galvanise the visitors as they made some changes in their back line to good effect.
Lichfield were being heavily penalised at the breakdown and Milner was yellow carded, watching the final ten from the side. It was in this spell that Sandbach struck. Firstly from a scrum and then minutes later from the loose.
With minutes to go, it was the Greens who held their nerve best, forcing Sandbach into another turnover to kick the ball into touch.
Lichfield: Birt, Gabbitass, Poole, Thompson, Squire, Burton (c), Milner, Southern; Cotterhill, L Massey, Wootton, G Massey, Maxwell-Keys, Rowlands, J Massey. Subs: Taplin, Turner, Wedgwood.
