Lichfield RUFC boosted their hopes of finishing in the top four after coming out on top in a high-scoring encounter at Whitchurch RUFC.
Both clubs fielded extremely young teams and after an early penalty to the hosts was kicked by fly half Dan Nicholas, the visitors soon moved up a gear with the outstanding Will Cotterhill forcing an error at the base of the home scrum before feeding the impressive Paul Maxwell Keys who ran the length of the pitch to score in the corner.
Two minutes later, Lichfield’s Tom Adams burst through several tackles to power over the line to score his side’s second try, converted by Josh Massey.
In a barmy ten minute period, Dan Nicholas slotted another penalty for Whitchurch before the referee yellow carded home lock Tom Hollins before repeating the trick a minute later with visiting skipper Dave Bassett after what appeared to be a legitimate turnover.
With both teams down to 14 men, Lichfield were able to score points through a Callum Turner try, converted again by Josh Massey, meaning the Myrtle Greens went into the half time break 19-11 up and keen to build upon an impressive first half performance against an enthusiastic and determined Whitchurch outfit.
The visitors started the second period the brighter with the outstanding Greg Massey scoring two tries in quick succession and brother Josh converting the latter try. This took the score to 31-11 to Lichfield and the city side looked to be cruising to a good win.
However, with youth comes enthusiasm and a determination to keep playing to the final whistle and that’s exactly what Whitchurch did. They now began to run everything and some poor tackling from Lichfield, who appeared to have switched off, allowed the home winger to score, followed shortly after by a score from centre Daniel Matthews to take the scoreboard to 23-36.
With 20 minutes left on the clock and with the addition of all of the visiting substitutes, the tide eventually turned after Whitchurch’s final try from backrow forward Alexander Wantling. Firstly the superb George Cotterhill and then Tom Adams crossed the try line after some impressive work from the Lichfield forward pack that were now in complete control in both scrum and lineout.
The final score of 30-46 perhaps flatters the opposition slightly and highlights the need for Lichfield to maintain the tempo and intensity throughout the whole game. However a bonus point victory for the Myrtle Greens maintains the pressure on the teams above.
Lichfield now welcome Dunlop to Cooke Fields on Saturday (March 3) for what is expected to be a free flowing and highly entertaining game for the home supporters.
Team: 1. Dan Taylor, 2. Stephen Gabbitass, 3. Dave Bassett (c), 4. Paul Finnemore, 5. Derrick Squire, 6. Callum Turner, 7. Charlie Milner, 8. Rich Burton, 9. Will Cotterhill, 10. Luke Massey, 11. Paul Maxwell-Keys, 12. Josh Massey, 13. Tom Adams, 14. George Cotterhill, 15. Greg Massey, 16. Josh Machin, 17. Jon Doubleday, 18. Matt Smith.
