Only few lads missing today , and still very strong squad off 18 players. One of the top sides in Staffordshire rolled into New Inn Lane, Lichfield RUFC who have over the years been one of the teams who give our lads a thrashing !
We looked nervous from the warm up and the kick off said it all ? everybody standing looking at the ball, this seemed to be the theme all the way through our first 17 mins ( x3 17 mins games )..on the back foot and not much set piece. Did feel it was going to get a lot harder , but what do I know again every week these Men step up and prove me wrong ! with only 1 try down.
The team chat was focussed on us, not them . With few changes in personnel and tweeks here and there, we were back in it. These lads can play !!
Unlucky to be held up over their try line twice and totally dominate this session in the scrum we looked something like a rugby team who have been together for years ? they haven't, some ( X7 players ) only started March last year !!
A great move in the backs ( YES a backs move ) saw Mal score great try ! Game on ! but with lads trying to push for another try Lichfield took a quick tap from a penalty and with few missed tackles ran the ball all the way down the other end to score, with only 2 mins left to play.
Lads were gutted but knew they could come back from this, with hard work and team effort.
Last 17 mins was again much improved, but strange. Both teams now thought they could just run through each other, which with the heat, well it is September ! became a bit slow paced and static, both sides not giving an inch. With lots of tired bodies out on the park now.
Last min of the match saw Lichfield run in another try. Shame, as I didn't think we deserved to lose 1`V 3 as it was much closer than that, but they are a very well drilled, coached team ! something which we can aspire to be, and achieve.
Well done lads you should be very proud of yourselves !!
MOM Ben Almond