Walsall RFC Ltd

Sunday 30th October 2016

Friendly match.

Walsall travelled to Lichfield to play in a local derby. This has always been an even contest. . Walsall Bandits travelled with a large squad of 23 players to choose from. Everyone managed to get game time and play their part in a good win.

The pitch was in good condition, there was a damp environment to the game but no rain.

The game started as a lively affair both teams putting in maximum effort. Lichfield pushed upfield after 5 mins. The home team kicked a ball through into Walsall’s 22, ending up in the visitors try area. There seemed to be a mix up in Walsall’s defence allowing Lichfield to capitalise on Walsall’s lack of concentration. Lich were 5-0 up after 6 mins.

The pressure was felt by the team in red, always playing catch up to a better home team that were working a little better than the visitors. After 12 mins the home team worked a quality ball from the line out, resulting in Lich using their backline to good effect. It took them just 4 mins to score their second. 10-0.

The restart saw more of the same, seeing a massive amount of defensive tackles put in by Walsall. This saw Lichfield fix the defenders and off load to good effect. Try number 3 for the home team, well deserved 17-0.

Then the penny dropped and Walsall then reacted and admitted they were in a game! Excellent work by the whole team saw a well worked team try. This resulted in the final pass finding it’s way to Fil Kozlowski using his self belief and strength to outrun the Lichfield defence. 17-5

Then Walsall seemed to push the overdrive and start to play like the last two games. Throughout the game the defences were tested to breaking point. It was a good advert for junior rugby. Lichfield were pressurising Walsall’s defence, only to be stopped in midfield. Added pressure paid off with a counter ruck, in turned saw quick ball pushed out to the wing were big Fil was waiting for the killer pass. Patience is a virtue, as they say. He waited, the pass came and he delivered with power and grace going over near the posts. Joe Birch added 2 extra points. 17-12 to the home team.

Lichfield then had ideas of their own, using good territory advantage. They passed and carried if they needed. Then they would kick into space, using the quick backline they secured the ball back and scored a well worked try.

Half Time 22-12 anyone's game for the taking. Walsall needed to concentrate better to win.

Seven changes were made and the second half got underway.

Walsall’s defensive wall was tight when it was needed to be. Turning defence into attack Walsall worked hard and turned the Lichfield ball over. Quick hands saw fast alignment and several players played their part, resulting in Fil taking the final killer pass just inside Lichfield’s half. He then made the sprint to the line look effortless, even with 5 players chasing him. Try under the posts, Joe Birch added the extra points. 22-17. The comeback was definitely on!

Lichfield did their best to put Walsall under pressure. It seemed Lich were working as well as the first half but Walsall were finishing the game stronger. After 20 mins Walsall had a lineout in Lichfield’s 22. Which they secured good ball for Jordan Smith to make massive yards just getting held up near the line, Jordan secured a great ruck platform for Edward Green ( first try of the season and first ever I think ) to collect and score. 22-24 advantage Walsall.

Both sides then tried to exert pressure when attacking but were evenly matched throughout the next 10 mins. Walsall finished a well worked pressure kick deep into Lich’s half, winning a penalty. This was taken quickly for the ball to be sent out to the right midfield, with a man advantage Joe Birch took the last pass to score just to the right of the posts. Conversion missed. 22-29. There was a tense final 10 mins were Lichfield tried to finish strongly but Walsall just held out.   

Final score Lichfield 22 Walsall 29.

A good around team effort shown by all, even if the team didn’t start performing to their until 17-0 behind. We need to start as well as we finished against Lichfield.  It seems to be paying off, all the work and preparation we do as a team.

Thanks again to John & his Lichfield for the game and we wish you all the best for the rest of the season.

A special welcome to Joe Higgins, he had a good first game in the centre.

See you all Wednesday night.

Rob, James and Stuart.