Lichfield RUFC warmed up a brave crowd at Cooke Fields with a strong performance to see of Berkswell and Balsall 46-16.
The hosts started with an intensity and direction the visitors couldn’t live with. Having one chance already put down, it took only minutes for the Greens to get on the scoreboard with an excellent team try being well finished by Brad Rowlands.
With the conversion going over, Lichfield received the kick off and started back on the journey into Berkswell’s half. Interplay between the forwards and backs saw some fantastic handling, creating space for Greg Massey to speed his way to the try line.
Everything was going the home side’s way, with Massey getting himself on the scoreboard twice more with some superb individual touches.
For 20 minutes Lichfield dominated, but complacency began to creep into their game. Missed tackles and errors allowed Berkswell to play through phases, and they’d soon crossed the try line. The visitors maintained this pressure and were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts.
Lichfield received the kick off in the second half and were instantly penalised at the breakdown. The visitors kicked the penalty and used the conditions to pin their hosts back.
The Greens slowly got back to their structured play and it was another dazzling run from full-back Massey that saw him travel the length of the pitch before releasing brother Josh to touch down.
Lichfield were now in the ascendency and as Berkswell tired, the home side continued to turn the screw. Two more well-taken team tries for Greg Massey and Brad Rowlands saw the game end 46-16.
With a bonus point gained, the Greens know the remaining games each hold important merit if they are to put pressure on the top two.
This weekend the 1st XV take a break before resuming league action on January 26 when they travel at Camp Hill. The 2nds, 3rds and Colts are all at home this weekend, though.
Lichfield: McDonough, Gabbitass, Bassett (c), Thompson, Squire, Taplin, Milner, Burton; Clark, L Massey, B Rowlands, Winter, Adams, J Massey, G Massey. Subs: Albutt, Upton and Lote.
