Lichfield produced a strong display at Newark as they claimed a 67-24 victory.
Despite the eventual result, it was the hosts who were quickest out of the blocks as they went ahead with a penalty from fly half George Leeson with the visitors being called for a not releasing offence inside 15 seconds.
But the Myrtle Greens soon took control as they dictated play for the next 15 minutes. Their line out also worked much better and it provided them with a treasure trove of ongoing possession. Ditch Burton, Charlie Milner and Adam Spinner took it in turns to be the play maker and this continually opened up gaps.
On 13 minutes, Paul Maxwell-Keys tore the already stretched opposition midfield apart to score, and five minutes later, Milner was over in similar circumstances. Spinner converted both of these tries.
But within a minute, Newark were right back in the game. From the kick off, the clearance was too loose and the Lichfield defence was too narrow, so the lively left wing Ovi Gilder was able to score under the posts.
Moments later, they repeated an attack down the left with Gilder again dangerous, which resulted in a home penalty, then a drive from the resulting line out and a try for hooker Jamie Vinters. Leeson converted both and it was 17-14 to the home side.
Normal service was soon resumed with Lichfield ruck ball being recycled quickly and with purpose. Five minutes before half time, the variety of their attacking produced a three on one overlap and Jack Fielding scored easily out wide.
Ollie Green added a further try before half time after he had disrupted a Newark scrum. Spinner was able to extend the lead with a penalty right on 40 minutes.
Lichfield now had the use of the breeze and a slight slope, but it was their lines of running and the continual support which became crucial. They invested a lot of energy into their afternoon and the reward was six second half tries.
Within seconds of the half starting, the Newark defence was sucked in by a series of drives and eventually Burton was able to stroll over to the posts unopposed. More speedy attacks and switches of direction followed and Maxwell-Keys glided through the holes in midfield for the next two tries. Spinner converted all three, along with two later for a 17 point individual haul.
Newark like to play a similar style of rugby to Lichfield and consequently managed to engineer a try for themselves as they went wide left once more and full back James Tarbutt finished it off well, with Leeson adding the extras.
The visitors were still comfortable at 48-24 and three more long distance tries were scored in the last 20 minutes.
Matt Cowley blasted over from a line out peel, before David Mott also crossed the whitewash after the visitors ran back the kick off, while the final try was scored by Milner, as Rory Davis was stopped a metre short of scoring his opening try for the season.
Lichfield will return to action on 17th February when they face title rivals Long Eaton.
Elsewhere this weekend, a depleted 3rds team travelled to Walsall and defeated their counterparts 28-22.
The women’s red team made it to the national Papa John’s Intermediate Cup semi finals as they Cheltenham 2nds by 29-19.
