Redditch RFC

The Kingfishers narrowly failed to get a result out of this game that looked at one point as if it was going to be way out of their reach. 

The first half was frustrating as it just would not click into place at all, passes just missed their target, kicks didn't quite reach their mark, some tackles slipped off the man. 

R opened the stronger, some searching runs quickly gave them territory and they challenged for the opening score but a stray ball and massive wind assisted kick put them back deep into their own half, a clearance kick didn't reach touch and with the R defence scattered Upton easily scored out wide, which was impressively converted.

The scrums were an area where R were dominant throughout the game, pushing their visitors back on numerous occasions, however they were not always able to capitalise on this possession, errors were made giving U the ball back which ended up with then finding another overlap and scoring a second try on the wing which was also converted. 

A third try was scored under the posts, the kick was added to give a 0-21 lead at half time and led to skipper Matt Allen and Coach Stan Hull giving the side some words of encouragement, some tactical tweaks and a couple of personnel changes to stem the flow of point.

It didn't quite all go to plan, U were one try away from a bonus point and they made every effort to score it. R managed to hold them up over their own line, and started a counter attack. Matt Allen's long down field kick wasn't defended well, the ensuing pressure resulted in Aaron Atkinson scoring, ably converted by Will Spires. 

That inspired the home side to up their game even more, passes started to stick, the tackling remained solid and mistakes became fewer. Player of the match Tom Lipscomb got the next score, Craig Martin and AJ Lewis had combined nicely when TL took possession on the 22m line, a try did not look likely but he somehow barged through the helpless tacklers to score an excellent try which Spires again converted. 14-21

A charged down drop out by Lipscomb provided the momentum for another attacking drive, penalty taps kept them moving in the right direction which resulted in Archie Beddard scoring. The conversion attempt slipped agonisingly the wrong side of the upright leaving R two points adrift of a draw.

The final throws of the game saw both sides trying too hard to snatch a deciding score and the game ended in favour of the visitors.

Clarke Parker flies high to compete in the lineout