Rugby union round-up: Lichfield close in on league title
Lichfield are in control of the Regional Two Midlands North title race and need just a draw against Old Saltleians on April 5 to confirm top spot, writes Dan Hickey.
The championship favourites are now four points clear at the top, ahead of second-placed Dronfield, after demolishing bottom-of-the-league Tamworth 72-7.
Freddie Wilson bagged a hat-trick in the one-sided affair, as eight of Lichfield’s squad touched down 12 tries, including Kai Lucas-Dumolo who made 200 points for the season.
Lichfield’s Seb Smith opened the floodgates, touching down after 10 minutes of the home side dominating the pitch. Matt Key, Ollie Green, Kieran Higgins, Rhys Davies and Freddie Wilson added to the tally, making the score 36-0 at the break.
Kai Lucas-Dumolo got a second-half brace as Wilson added two more to his tally, Kieran Higgins made a brace and Ditch Burton also touched down.
The two sides met at Tamworth in December – the title-favourites won 72-0. The same scoreline was narrowly avoided this time, however, as Tamworth’s Oliver Cole stole a consolation try in the last minute of the game.
Before the final round of fixtures takes place, Lichfield are in the Staffordshire County Cup final on Friday (7.45pm) against the defending champions, Regional One Midlands side Burton.
Walsall go into their final fixture of the season in fifth after losing 33-23 to Ilkeston.
Despite tries from Kyle Reid and Ethan Walker, Walsall will now fight West Bridgford for fourth place from five points behind.
They were three points behind with 10 minutes to play before Ilkeston sealed the win late on to do the double over Walsall – the only side other than Lichfield to do so this season.
Dudley Kingswinford climbed to ninth in Regional One Midlands by beating struggling Silhillians 38-19 at home. James Ryan (two), Alexander Deery, Jonathon Jones and Adam Dainty all touched down for DK.
Old Halesonians also saw success as their win against visitors Ledbury saw them go seventh. They won 27-15 thanks to tries from Luka Smith, Jake Kelly, Jake Humphreys and Carl Robinson.
Burntwood edged out Newport Seconds 35-34 in Counties One Midlands West (North) thanks to tries from Luke Rookyard, Tom Shorrock, Billy Dinning, Billy Fisher, Josh Canning and Dan Clements.
They remain second in the division, while at the foot of the table, Wolverhampton are still bottom after losing 28-21 to Spartans.
Stafford are second from bottom despite winning 52-31 against Shrewsbury. Archie Bent (three), Josh Bayley, Dylan Shrehorn, Ethan Hollins, Liam Ashworth and Kayden Robinson all touched down.
Willenhall held off Veseyans 29-28. Thomas Bayley (two), Ellis Richmond and Michael Potts scored tries but remain third bottom, while Kidderminster lost 45-31 at home to Newcastle.
William Fallows, Beau Archer and George Tildesley touched down for the seventh-placed side.
Counties Two Midlands West (West) champions Stourbridge Lions kept up their incredible form, defeating Luctonians Thirds 60-31, while Walsall Seconds demolished Market Drayton 59-29.
Handsworth triumphed 46-26 in their Counties Three Midlands West (North) mid-table clash with Cannock, while Lichfield Seconds dominated Tamworth Seconds 70-7 in Counties Three Midlands West (East).
Stourport were on top in Counties Four Midlands West (South), beating Birmingham Exiles 47-5 to go fifth.
Sixth-placed Kidderminster Carolians Seconds beat Droitwich Seconds 31-22, while seventh-placed Old Halesonians Seconds lost 39-31 to Evesham Seconds.
Warley are third in Counties Four Midlands West (North) after winning 31-5 at Linley, and Wednesfield are four points behind after a 78-17 triumph at relegated Essington.
Burntwood Seconds lost 56-10 to league-leaders Newport Thirds.
