Lichfield RUFC travelled to table-toppers South Leicester on Saturday and endured a steep learning curve.
The 68-21 result suggests a very one sided affair, but the travelling coaching team were pleased with areas of their team’s performance.
Lichfield are having to cope with changing perspectives on law interpretations, and this grey area gifted South Leicester their first try within two minutes. Scrum half Evans winded the flying winger to stop him in his tracks only for the referee to penalise him for a high tackle. With the penalty kicked to the corner, South Leicester appeared to truck and trailer the ball five metres forward, but as the play unfolded, some quick ball and average line speed saw the 13 crash over for the opening score. The metronomic kicker made no mistake and South Leicester were up and running.
The hosts were to score four more tries in the first half, not in a barrage, but from errors and interceptions. Lichfield’s scrum blew hot and cold against a powerful pack, as they struggled to get any set piece ball, and South Leicester were excellent at capitalising and keeping hold of the ball through their big runners. There was nothing fancy or exciting about their play, it was just very efficient and direct.
The Greens did manage to score on half time when an overthrown line out was gathered and the ball fed to Burton to race over. The conversion was added and Lichfield finished the half 33–7 down.
The visitors started the second half brightly, but were guilty of trying to tackle too high at times. This allowed the big South Leicester ball carriers to get go forward and quick play again saw them score the opening try through Lee Robinson.
Lichfield did hit a purple patch when allowed to play. A lovely spread of hands saw Josh Massey break up the left flank, and a neat kick in field saw brother Greg race through to touch down. Brother Luke converted, and it was a family affair for seven points.
The Greens held this tempo and again found inroads into the home defence, this time Charlie Milner going over in the corner. Luke Massey converted from the right touchline and the score line suddenly read 40–21.
That was to be it for Lichfield’s points tally as they forced errors trying to play too much in the wrong areas.
South Leicester were to notch up a further four converted tries, two while their visitors were reduced to 14 players.
Lichfield have now played four out of the top five teams and though the results might not suggest it, they have not looked out of place for large parts. Accuracy will be the theme as they enter a wet period playing teams in very similar positions to themselves over the next month.
The Greens welcome Bournville to Cooke Fields this weekend with a 3pm kick off and a celebration for the Lichfield Ladies involved in the England Women’s World Cup success.
Lichfield: Birt, Clarke, Taylor, Thompson, Squire, Burton (capt), Milner, Southern; Evans, L Massey, Wootton, G Massey, Maxwell-Keys, Rowlands, J Massey. Subs: Gabbitass, Bassett and R Fielding.
