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# Match report: Lichfield RUFC 43 Ludlow RUFC 32
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/match-report-lichfield-rufc-43-ludlow-rufc-32/
- Published: 2011-12-07T10:30:11.000Z
- Updated: 2011-12-06T21:06:35.000Z
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 21:41

Lichfield RUFC came out on top in a pulsating encounter against Ludlow RUFC at Cooke Fields.

The match saw a remarkable 75 points scored in the final 62 minutes.

The greens welcomed back openside flanker Tom Paulson and fly-half Neil Antcliffe to the starting XV, while Richard Burton moved to number 8 to accommodate Chris Upton at 6.

Newly promoted Ludlow had won three of their opening six away games, so were always likely to threaten their opponents. With a strong breeze at their backs, the visitors kicked a lot of ball deep early on, and Lichfield struggled to gain much territory as a result.

The game remained scoreless until the 18th minute mark, when an opportunist dart down the touchline brought a score for centre Greg Massey, converted by brother Josh.

Two Ludlow penalties threatened to keep the score line close as half time drew nearer, before two crucial tries gave the hosts the breathing space their play deserved. The first of these came from an impressive lineout play. All action lock Joe Thompson collected the Gabbitass throw, and Richard Burton was on hand to direct the driving maul over the line and secure the score.

The highlight of the first 40 was still to come though, as a sweeping backs move ended with a clinical Matt Brown finish out wide to make the half time score 17-6.

The second half began with the greens in scintillating form, as the backs really started to cut loose. With the front five providing a brilliant set piece platform and Chris Upton frequently breaking the gain line, the resulting quick ball constantly saw the backs attacking with front foot possession. In particular, the Ludlow midfield couldn’t cope with the pace and power of the Adams/Massey centre duo, who added three tries between them in a six minute burst, the latter completing an impressive hat-trick. All three tries were converted by Josh Massey.

A degree of complacency appeared to creep into the Lichfield play as Ludlow threatened an improbable comeback with three scores in quick succession. From a position of strength at 38-6, a series of missed tackles coupled with poor defensive alignment conspired to bring the score to 38-23.

Fortunately, the hosts were able to muster one last meaningful attack to close out the game, as Brad Rowlands forced a neat offload to scrum-half Matt Smith who supported well to score.

Ludlow brought the curtain down on a thrilling second half of rugby with the final try on 72 minutes.

Forty minutes of crowd pleasing rugby may have been soured by a 15 minute lapse in concentration towards the end, but Lichfield move on to a big game at Worcester next week with another five points in the bag.

**Lichfield:** Taylor, Gabbitass, Bassett (c), Thompson, Squire, Upton, Paulson, Burton; Smith, Antcliffe, Rowlands, Adams, G Massey, Brown and J Massey. Subs: Clarke, Milner and Maxwell-Keys.