Sat 28 Oct 2023, 15:00
With a break in first team action Redditch took a mixed seconds/vets team across to Shirley to take on Old Yardleians 2nd team.
On arrival we saw around 30 players warming up and expected the worse. Fortunately. it was the development squad (who Redditch had played earlier in the season with a very poor outcome).
As kick off time approached the youngsters departed for a shower and we were left with the genuine seconds.
The referee was accompanied by two Assistant Referees from the North Midlands Young Match Officials Programme, so most errors were picked up during the match.
The big home pack immediately started to boss the scrums with the smaller Redditch pack often being shoved off the ball. With the lineouts not functioning too well Redditch were forced to defend and live off scraps.
Offered the choice of scrum or lineout after a not straight throw Redditch inexplicably chose the scrum and paid the price of a turnover.
That said Redditch were quick to defend and often turned over the ball at the breakdown. A kick ahead by Aaron Atkinson took Redditch to the Old Y line only for a knock on to spoil the try. As the home side cleared their lines Redditch won the lineout and fed Tom McLarney who scythed through the defence to open the scoring. His conversion attempt failed.
As the play developed Redditch spent much of the half in the Old Yards 22 until half time disrupted their rhythm.
The referee removed a player from each side after a suspected head clash putting player safety first.
Old Y opened the half with a penalty which left Redditch defending grimly in their own half. An old Y kick ahead was brilliantly covered on the line but the clearing kick failed to find touch. It was caught on the run by the Old Y seven who raced through some flimsy defence to score. The conversion gave the home side the lead 7-5.
Old Y came straight back from the kick off with another kick ahead was chased down only to be knocked on at the line.
Redditch fought back and gradually forced their way back up the pitch, with Aaron Atkinson denied a try after another kick ahead was caught on the line. Old Y cleared their lines, but, from the lineout, the backs were caught offside. Redditch attempted the penalty goal which unfortunately sailed wide and the chance to retake the lead was lost.
The final score remained at 7-5 to the home side after a match which was closely contested and enjoyed by both sides.
The Man of the Match, selected by Old Yardleians, was Tom McLarney.
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