Sat 19 Oct 2019, 15:00
Having lost twice to Greyhound last season Redditch came into this match expecting a tough game and knowing they had to start well.
And start well they did with Craig Martin leading the early charges with dynamic charges that pushed Redditch deep into Greyhound territory. The backs joined in only to see Will Baillon bundled into touch meters from the line. This first inkling of the dominance in the set piece was shown as Craig Martin was hoisted high to take the lineout from Greyhound, who immediately gave away a penalty from the ensuing ruck. Ever alert James Mills took the tap and it was Martin again who crashed over for the try.
As the game settled down soft penalties were the order of the day as both sides made poor decisions. Fortunately Redditch came out the better in the exchange only to see a strong attack fail as the referee called a forward pass. Loran Abbotts won the strike for turnover ball and after stretching the visitors defence to the left, quick hands back to the right saw Jonathon Beale trot over unopposed for the home sides 2nd try.
A beautiful take from the kick off saw Greyhound charge into the 22 as Redditch scrambled to contain the threat. A penalty for offside relieved the pressure and Redditch were able to work their way back up the field. Greyhound had difficulty holding onto the ball and the Redditch back row of Clarke Parker and Mikey Essex were cleaning up the scraps. Another lineout deep in Greyhound territory saw Matt Allen rise high to take the crucial ball. However the maul did not go as planned for Greyhound to effect the turnover. As they tried to clear their lines Clarke Parker swooped to pressure them into dropping the ball and James Mills took a gift try for the second match in a row. Ash Mooney again added the extras for Redditch to go into the break 21-0 and satisfied with their work.
With fitness levels building as the season progresses Redditch had looked to have the edge in the first half, and the start of the second was no different. A good break out from the kick off and a delicate kick ahead saw Will Heath win the race to the bouncing ball, only to knock on at the death.
There was a short delay while the referee insisted Will Baillon take some time off for a blood injury, which allowed Tom Saddington to come on for a cameo appearance. Showing the intensity of the first half, the Kingfishers’ pack disrupted the creaking Greyhound scrum for Man of the Match Stu Brooks to take the 5 points and give Redditch the bonus point.
Captain Matt Allen was struggling with a dead leg but refused to leave the field. It was just as well, since after a great lineout take by Matt, the pack trundled forward a couple of times for Matt to break out and score adjacent to the posts. Ash Mooney, with Farrellesque accuracy slotted over his 5th conversion of the day to take Redditch to 35-0.
Greyhound refused to lie down and kept competing to the end, with some of their big forwards eventually finding their legs and putting in some useful bursts. After one of these the referee ruled a deliberate knock on and went under the posts for a mystifying penalty try to Greyhound taking the final score to a well deserved 35-7 to the home side.
A solid home victory was welcome for Redditch, but coach Tom Saddington will be taking away some more things to work on at practice. Redditch gave away too many soft penalties, and dropped a fair bit of ball with ill conceived passes. That said the locks and No 8 dominated the scrums and lineouts while involving themselves enough to each score a try.
This bonus point victory lifts Redditch above Greyhound and a victory next time out would lift them above their opponents for the day Keresley. With 9 of the 12 teams competing in this new league looking competitive we have made a great start to the season. This week Redditch put out their most balanced side of the season and the reults speak for themselves.
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