Sat 4 Feb 2023
Following Redditch’s fine performance last time out against Worcester 2nds they faced the immediate challenge of taking on table topping Hereford 2nds due to this being a rearranged game.
Unfortunately due to unavailabilities (as this was a reserve week when wives and significant others book up well in advance) and injuries suffered against Worcester, Redditch were struggling to put out a team. We were short of a front row, so much toing and froing on the telephone took place during the week. Eventually both sides agreed that the match would be played as a friendly with the option of mixing and matching the teams and the option of a “Game On” match declined by both teams. This meant that Hereford were awarded a 5 point bonus win with a scoreline of 0-0 recorded and no penalty against Redditch as we were committed to playing a friendly.
The coach set out from Redditch with more spectators than players!
After some discussion it was decided that the match would be played as 12 a side with no need for Redditch to borrow players from Hereford. As Redditch could not field a front row it was decided that we wouldn’t have scrums either, so scrums were replaced by a tap to the non-offending side.
Redditch called up Josh and Fat Baby and handed a debut to Branden Paterson.
With 12 a side there was no full back and Aaron Atkinson slotted into the stand off role with AJ reverting to the wing.
Hereford immediately spotted the gap at the back where Aaron would have been and chased down a deft little kick to score adjacent to the posts. Hereford have a policy that injured first team players must come back through the second team. Unfortunately this meant that we faced a monster No 10 with all the attributes of a genuine level 6 player and Redditch did not have the firepower or numbers on the field to cope with his skill set.
With no scrums the match was played at a frenetic pace and there weren’t many line outs either. Hereford scored again and were starting to settle into a rhythm. This was disrupted by a flow of penalties in Redditch’s direction. John Beale seemed to have mastered the art of tackle followed by jackal and was turning over good ball.
The home side were finding Matt Allen’s direct running difficult to handle and it wasn’t long before Redditch broke the drought with captain Aaron scampering over for the try which James Mills converted.
Buoyed by their efforts it was Matt himself who used the direct route to cross for a seven pointer as Redditch came within one score of the opposition leading in to half time (which, in the spirit of coarse rugby came after just 30 minutes).
The second half was much as the first with the big no 10 turning up all over the park and really making the difference. Josh laid his body on the line making a last ditch try saving tackle and was slow to move after. He claimed to be just regaining his breath and composure but the referee (and several of the crowd) took his motionless state to be a sign of a knock out and banished him to the touch line. Despite Josh wanting to return to the fray the referee was adamant and Josh took no further part in the match. This left Redditch a man down and it got harder.
However Matt was still charging up the centre and made one 50 metre run only to be dragged down inches from the line. He popped the ball up and who was there but his brother Sid who crossed for the easiest try he will ever score. Matt’s conversion attempt sailed wide.
Not to be denied Redditch scored again with captain Aaron crossing for his second allowing the team to reach their 4 try target and James Mills converted with a cheeky dropped goal.
The final score was 60-26 to the home side who fielded their strongest 12.
Redditch put in a second outstanding performance against teams who should never have been in the same league as Redditch.
Man of the Match went to debutant Branden Paterson who slotted in well.
With the match finishing well before the 1st team, Redditch were able to get good seats in the refurbished club house and settle down to watch the England match before the noisy coach ride home.
Matt Allen shows off his direct running style.
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