Rugby round-up: Lichfield finish with a flourish
Lichfield showcased their impressive fitness levels at home against ninth-placed Matlock, scoring four tries in the last 10 minutes, writes Dan Hickey.
They stay three points clear at the top of Regional Two Midlands West after winning 61-10, with Seb Smith scoring a hat-trick at the end.
Paul Maxwell-Keys opened the tries for the league leaders; however the visitors were quick to respond with a penalty goal.
Kieran Higgins’ converted try extended the Lichfield lead to 11 points 12 minutes in.
The home side went 21-10 up through Rory Davis touching down, before Ollie Green breached the Matlock defence, try-scoring to make 28-10 at half time.
Freddie Wilson added another for the home side, before Smith (three) and Chris Bennett touched down for the last 26 points.
Lichfield next face 10th-placed Paviors with three games left of the season.
Walsall are fifth after losing 36-31 at Melbourne, despite the visitors’ George Green opening the scoring.
Melbourne dominated the match until after the break, when tries from Quade Boal, Ben Pitt and Simon Weaver touched down for Walsall.
The momentum was broken as the home side took advantage of a defensive mix-up to score another try, before a red card being was issued for a punch by a Melbourne player.
In Regional One Midlands, Syston confirmed the title and promotion to the National League Two, despite second-placed Stourbridge beating Nuneaton 35-29.
Dan Johnson (two), Will Webb, Arron Hackett and Dallas Ororo all touched down for Stour, who are six points clear of third place with three games to play.
Dudley Kingswinford are ninth after a 20-10 home loss to Burton. Peter Griffiths scored DK’s only try.
Old Halesonians are eighth in Regional Two Midlands West after edging out third-placed Edwardians 29-27. Jamie Keen, Tim Daly, Carl Robinson and Dan Smith all touched down.
Burntwood still have a chance to take the Counties Two Midlands West (North) title after beating Stafford 56-14 away.
Tries from Connor Brighton, Dan Clements (two), Billy Fisher, Brett Taylor, Luke Rookyard, Ben Holt and Ben Finney sealed Burntwood’s highest ever league finish, ahead of hosting the unbeaten league leaders: Sutton Coldfield.
Stafford remain second from bottom despite tries from Alex Rock and Alosio Yamo Yamo.
Kidderminster defeated Willenhall 36-32 to climb to seventh, while Wolverhampton suffered a 54-36 loss at Shrewsbury to remain bottom of the league.
Stourbridge Lions remain top of Counties Two Midlands West (West) after beating Bridgnorth Bulls 38-19, while Walsall Seconds are second-from bottom after losing 48-8 at home to Clee Hill.
