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# Lichfield RUFC stay top after big victory against Whitchurch
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/lichfield-rufc-stay-top-after-big-victory-against-whitchurch/
- Published: 2013-11-26T08:30:23.000Z
- Updated: 2013-11-26T08:20:23.000Z
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 20:48

Table-topping Lichfield RUFC returned to league action in familiar form to secure a comfortable victory against mid-table Whitchurch.

The hosts, fresh from a two week break, started the game with huge intensity and came close to scoring from their first attack of the game. Nick Southern made the break up the right touchline after some crisp handling and Whitchurch were forced to infringe at the resulting breakdown. Josh Massey added the penalty to open the scoring.

By this point Whitchurch’s physical, perhaps over confrontational, game plan had already become clear. Lichfield were camped in their 22, but a series of off the ball scuffles had delayed the inevitable first try.

But the breakthrough eventually came on the 13 minute mark as Jonny Evans reversed the play from centre field to find Richard Burton who produced a deft offload to put Charlie Milner over the line.

Whitchurch were not about to cave under the early pressure and found their way into the 22 on several occasions. Their front row in particular were prominent throughout and proved a real test for the Greens’ much-improved defence.

But Lichfield were able to withstand the pressure, play their way out of danger and create an outstanding second try.  
Josh Massey offloaded beautifully to older brother Greg, who in turn fed Tom Adams to race under the posts.

The visitors were becoming more and more frustrated at the home side’s proficiency at the breakdown, with Burton in particular responsible for a number of turnovers and penalty decisions. From one of these, Evans went quickly and capped a lively first half showing with an opportunistic try.

As the sides re-emerged for the second half, Lichfield were desperate to take the game away from 14-man Whitchurch, who lost their captain Oliver Bates late in the first half to a yellow card.

Without of one of their top ball carriers, the visitors toiled in centre field before gifting an interception pass to Luke Massey. The home fly-half ran more than 50 metres to secure the four-try bonus point on 45 minutes.

Greg Massey was the next on the scoresheet, as the hosts stretched their lead beyond 30 points. The full back displayed neat footwork to round his opposite man and claim his ninth try of the season.

A brace of tries then went the way of replacement scrum half Cotterhill, who showed pace and power that a tiring Whitchurch defence simply had no answer to.

With just eight minutes remaining, the visitors finally broke the Lichfield resistance with a try from centre Thomas Davies.

This spurred the hosts to respond and break the 50 point barrier as Tom Adams collected a Greg Massey pass to score on the left hand side. Josh Massey added his fourth conversion of the match with an impressive touchline effort.

A miserable day for Whitchurch did finish on a bright note courtesy of a try from Steve Bloor.

**Lichfield:** Craddock, Clarke, Bassett (c), Thompson, Southern, Burton, Milner, Prior; Evans, L Massey, J Massey, Maxwell-Keys, Adams, D Rowlands, G Massey. Subs: Gabbitass, Turner and W Cotterhill.