Lichfield RUFC romped to a huge victory against Dunlop RUFC.
The Myrtle Greens started the game with continuity, tempo and intensity which resulted in a huge percentage of the possession as they piled endless pressure on the opposition line. However, stout Dunlop defence and inaccuracies at the breakdown from Lichfield resulted in a number of penalties and turnovers in the first five minutes of the game.
But following a poor kick from the visitors, the ball was moved swiftly across the back three by the Lichfield backs and Paul Maxwell Keys expertly weaved his way through a number of tacklers to score impressively in the corner. This signalled the opening of the flood gates as the hosts then amassed 29 points in the first half through tries from the ever impressive Greg Massey, the powerful Tom Adams and winger George Cotterhill.
However, the home side finished the first half poorly as they attempted to fling the ball wide at every occasion without necessarily earning the right to do so. Lichfield defended aggressively to keep a determined Dunlop team out, with the visiting No.8 standing out as an impressive ball carrier and lineout presence.
The hosts came out after the half time break keen to start well and assert themselves upon a visibly tiring Dunlop team. After another sloppy period of play the Myrtle Greens soon got back on track and amassed 40 points in total in the second half of the match. Greg Massey opened the scoring again with a length of the pitch try after some superb work from Charlie Milner and Richard Burton. He was on the scoreboard again two minutes later after some outstanding play which saw backs and forwards linking superbly well to eventually break a wiry Dunlop defence to again run the length of the pitch to score under the posts, converted by brother Josh Massey.
Greg Massey then scored his fifth and final try of the match following a period of play which encapsulated the true nature of this exciting and youthful team. Following a superb scrum, highlighting the dominance that the Lichfield pack were now exerting on the Dunlop forwards, the backs moved the ball well and Tom Adams made another burst through the heart of the Dunlop centres. Following several phases, the home side moved the ball wide with pace and accuracy and Greg Massey was set loose to cause havoc amongst the back three. In space, Massey has proved beyond all doubt that he is a master of finishing off chances and his brace in this game has moved him to the third highest try scorer in the country this season.
Phil Jones made a huge impact coming off from the bench with a number of robust runs and was on the scoresheet in the 60th minute after linking well with Lichfield’s attacking dynamo Luke Massey, who was now running the show with a maturity beyond his years.
Josh Machin’s turnover on Lichfield’s line in the 75th minute continued to deny the Dunlop team any points and when the Myrtle Greens scored their final try through Adams, converted by Maxwell Keys, it looked as if the game was set to be a completely one-sided affair.
However in the 79th minute of play, the Dunlop forwards worked hard to move the ball effectively from a ruck and after several more phases on the Lichfield 5m line, the visitors finally crossed the line – a reward for the hard work and determination which the entire squad had applied throughout this tough game.
The five points gained piles on the pressure on the teams above and allows Lichfield some breathing room from Burton below.
The Myrtle Greens squad were set some very tough and challenging goals by the coaching staff for this game, and all of them were achieved in a performance and result which add momentum to their challenge for a top four finish with five games left of the season.
Lichfield look forward to what will be a tough game away at Kenilworth next Saturday (March 10) as they look to close the gap on Walsall and Worcester Wanderers.
