Sat 14 Jan 2023, 14:15
A new year, a new dawn.
Following a change in the coaching team after their last match in December, Redditch played their first game of the year and rediscovered their form, their enthusiasm and their teamwork.
Playing a friendly, as their original opposition had dropped out of the league structure, it was an ideal opportunity to put into practice what had been shown in training, and with a couple of new faces it turned out to be a most satisfactory afternoon all round.
The support play was tighter, the tackling was more positive and attacking options explored, all done with a more coherent team attitude working for each other.
Though it was a dry afternoon the previous evening's rain had made the surface slippery, handling all round wasn't perfect and at times made for a game that was less than fluid, but there were moments of class which won the game for the home side, as well as the steely defence.
Debutant Dave Roberts showed his experience when he tested out his opposite man at flyhalf and ran through him, finding the defence out of position he managed to sustain his run to the try line and saved enough energy to convert it.
OH hit back with a ground out try on the line which went unconverted. R stretched their lead when Clarke Parker stole a ball at a ruck, he fed Mitch Ferris who in turn found Sid Allen who scored the try.
Toward the end of the half a kick through gained ground, the ruck was won and the ball found DR who dotted down for another try which he converted.
The second half produced no more points at all but proved to be an most entertaining period. A few changes in personnel and positional alterations didn't alter the dynamic of the performance. In the final quarter, which R spent largely in their own half, they showed a determination to keep the opposition at bay that was in equal measure positive and effective.
This Sat their league schedule resumes with a home fixture v Bishops Castle. They narrowly lost the away fixture so will be looking for revenge, and if this performance was an indication of what is possible then they have every chance of getting it.
Man of the Match Sid Allen heads in for the try:
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