Redditch RFC

n yet another changed strip R clicked into the form that had been promised in recent weeks. The six try bonus point win was both entertaining and clinical, with the hard work from training beginning to manifest itself on the pitch.

Skipper Matt Allen led from the front, scoring the first try from a driving maul and a second from a 5m scrum, his driving runs throughout were instrumental in putting R on the front foot many times, giving room and time for AJ Bennett and Will Spires to distribute the ball to a set of backs who wanted to run the ball at every opportunity.

The support running from R proved pivotal in the win.  A delicate chip to space enabled Will Spires to gather his own kick, Tom Lipscomb was on his shoulder and Will Heath supporting to scamper under the posts which WS converted.

Bishops Castle had kicked a penalty from a distance, but the home defense was such that the visitors rarely entered the home red zone and never looked like scoring a try in either half.

Joe Looker weaved his way through the despairing tackles for the third try before Allen scored his second, conversions of both gave R a 26-3 half time lead.

BC had their moments and didn't give up, their pack contended well and their backs were active but when ever they broke through, crunching tackles from Heath, Aaron Atkinson, Player of the match Tom MaClarney and Jon Beale in the back line stopped them in their tracks.

The second half was a calmer affair, replacements and injuries disrupted the flow a little and chances were missed, but two moments of magic stood out. A sweeping handling move resulted in Atkinson outpacing the chasers on the wing, then having the presence of mind to run around under the posts.   

The final score came from a sublime kick from prop Mickey Adams winning a 50/22 line out, smart thinking Matt Allen took a quick throw in to Lipscomb and inter-passing fed Rory Allen to score his first try for the club.

It was a fine all round performance, perhaps a few too many penalties conceded which could have punished them on another day but there was plenty to celebrate and lots to build on.

Up close and personal