Redditch RFC

Redditch may have lost this game on a freezing afternoon but it was a heart warming performance and included an act of sportsmanship from Droitwich that is rare in the modern world of sport.

After a dominant opening spell D score their first try, the result of continuous drives and though R defended well they couldn't withstand the attack. R bounced right back though,  a long range penalty from Archie Beddard was virtually his last contribution to the game as a shoulder injury meant R had to play their only replacement. 

Two long range runs were rewarded with two tries and suddenly D were 19-3 to the good and looking confident.

However R rallied, they had decent spells of possession and began to ask questions of their own. A long distance kick put the home full back under pressure, from the ensuing attack Tom Lipscomb broke free to score a try converted by Will Spires.

D reinforced their dominance with bonus point try just before half time for a 26-10 lead at the break.

R started the second half with an increased determination to get something from the game, sharp running and passing saw Joe Morgan finish off the fine move. But any thoughts of getting back into the game soon faded when D scored two more quick tries to stretch their lead to 38-15.

It was at this point the game took a dramatic turn. Skipper Will Spires and flanker AJ Bennett were both injured in separate incidents and had to leave the field leaving R with a bare 13 players. In a act of sportsmanship rarely seen these days Droitwich responded by removing two of their players from the field to level things up. Completely unnecessary by the laws of the game but an appreciated gesture in the spirit of true grass roots sport.

The closing chapter was as entertaining as the rest of the game, Joe Purvis capitalised on a period of intense try line pressure, and D hit back with a try of their own.

Will Heath who had started as Centre, then moved to Full Back and finally to Fly Half, rounded off an excellent performance with a break away run which ended short of the line, Cal Razzak was on hand to  recycle the ball to Lipscomb who scored his second and the bonus point try for R, converted this time by Heath himself.

 

D had the last word with a last minute break away.

Considering the injuries and availability issues R can be very proud of this performance. They only conceded 6 penalties in the entire game, they kept running, tackling and harassing right to the end and were well worth their bonus point regardless of how hard it was earned. 

This Sat R host Stourport.