Lichfield RUFC failed to return from their visit to Birmingham University with top marks after going down to early season high-flyers Bournville RUFC.
The Myrtle Greens were able to call upon a fit again Sam Baker, George Cotterhill and Richard Burton, but Jonny Evans and Paul Finnemore were new additions to a lengthening list of absentees.
Lichfield began the match in positive fashion. After an exchange of early penalties, the green wall stood firm until the 16th minute. The home side struck again just seven minutes later, the first of four tries for impressive centre Rob Eatough.
But the away side continued to compete well in the face of a Bournville barrage. Encouragingly, they were able to post the next try, courtesy of Joe Thompson. The lock rounded off a sweeping counter attack started by a powerful Greg Massey run, the centre bursting through a number of would be tacklers. Brother Josh added the touchline conversion to his earlier penalty.
The next 15 minutes would prove costly to Lichfield. Well in the game at only 17-10 behind, they started to fall off tackles and afford their opponents too much space to work with. By half time, Bournville had extended their lead to 34-13, via two tries and a further penalty. Three points off the boot of Josh Massey was all the visitors could muster in response.
Into the second half and Bournville were quick out of the blocks once more. Another try and penalty followed in quick succession.
Stung into action, trailing 41-13, the Myrtle Greens began to fight back. Tom Adams profited from a great running line by Richard Burton to score. Another foray into the opposition 22 brought a third try, as Gareth Brear pounced on a clever George Cotterhill kick to cross out wide. Another penalty from Josh Massey and it was game on at 41-28 with an hour played.
A patched up side tailed off disappointingly in the final quarter as the superior fitness and conditioning of the home side proved telling. They were able to run in a further four tries, while the tiring visitors failed in their pursuit of a fourth bonus point score.
Lichfield must learn quickly from this 67-28 defeat and bounce back before meeting Bedworth at Cooke Fields on Saturday (October 1).
Lichfield: Sowden, Gabbitass, Bassett (c), Perrins, Thompson, Burton, Milner, Goodwin; Clark, J Massey, G Cotterhill, Adams, G Massey, Baker, Brear. Subs: Machin, Upton and Rowlands.
