After the weather had prompted a few late fixture changes, Lichfield’s development team finally took to the field for a friendly against Derby – and they did not quite have the start to the New Year that they would have hoped for!
Another much changed line-up saw debuts for three more players and the total number of people who have started games for the team this season rose to 58.
The obvious unfamiliarity between some of the players and the expected post-Christmas blues meant the start was sluggish.
Lichfield found themselves 14-0 down in less than ten minutes.
But the Greens then recovered for a while and some lovely footwork from Richard Fielding saw him cross for his first try of the season.
Despite this short respite Derby soon scored again and Lichfield were quite lucky to be only 19-5 behind at the break.
The second period saw a big improvement and they finally applied some prolonged pressure, which resulted in a good team try – finished off by Jack Hawley and converted by Tim Lloyd.
But further pressure went unrewarded and it was then Derby who scored next to pull further away.
Lichfield continued to fight on and when Luke Taplin pulled back another score with a few minutes remaining they looked as if they might even snatch a late draw.
However, it was not to be and Derby finally ran out deserved 24-17 winners.
