Mens 2nd XV

A sterling defensive effort was not enough to prevent Lichfield from losing 24-28 to a Stoke side containing a number of first team players.

The absence of a first team game enabled the visitors from North Staffordshire to field a strong fifteen, including a large pack which dominated the first half. Playing against the wind, the Myrtle Greens struggled to clear their own lines and only a frantic scramble defence and a good organisation at the fringes of the ruck kept the Stoke pack at bay. However, the pressure finally told and a series of phases stretched the Lichfield defence to breaking point, allowing the left winger to utilise an overlap to touch down.

Despite the size of their opposition, the Lichfield front five of Dolby, Savage, Sowden, Haber and Clarke competed well in the scrum and the tight and Lichfield started to work their way up the pitch. However, they struggled to secure line-out ball and the home side found themselves under increasing pressure, with only the defensive efforts of Perrins and Neenan, impressively debuting at open-side flanker, preventing any further score before half-time.

Amazingly, Lichfield went into the break level. A break from their own twenty-two and a passage of ruck and quick ball on the Stoke line allowed captain Clark to take a quick penalty and send Sheilds through a gaping hole under the posts. Sheilds converted for 7-7.

Stung into action, Stoke again started the second half playing to their strengths and after a period of sustained pressure, a barrelling run from the large prop saw them re-take the lead 7-14. A mistake from the re-start gave Lichfield field position, and after a number of infringements, Massey opted to kick for goal from in front of the posts and reduced the deficit to 10-14.

The Stoke backs became more adventurous as the game went on, but one expansive pass too many saw outside centre Preece pluck the ball from the air on the half-way line and canter under the posts. Massey converted for 17-14. Stoke reverted to their original game plan and strong running and offloading saw the lead change hands once again as they charged over under the posts after some good inter-linking. 17-21.

Weak tackling allowed Stokes powerful winger to increase the lead and the fly-half completed an error-free kicking game to take the score to 17-28. However, the best try of the game was likely to come from Lichfield and so it proved. In their own twenty-two and throwing caution to the wind, Massey’s miss pass saw found Preece in space and his deft hands found Sheilds on a lovely looping run. With Smith in support, Sheilds drew the full-back and gave the winger a clear run to the corner, from where Massey excellently converted. 24-28.

Fittingly, Lichfield ended the game successfully repelling a Stoke forward drive and although it was evident that this was the first game this team have played together, there are signs of promise for the upcoming season.