Sat 7 Dec 2019, 14:00
After last weeks defeat away at Keresley where Matt Allen scored the only Redditch try in game that was there to be won but ultimately they ran out of steam, the Kingfishers were determined to show they had the spirit and strength to go the full 80min and not fade towards the end.
So, turning recent form on its head R started slowly and built to a crescendo for a convincing win against an Atherstone side who had started the day in second place.
It was atherstone who scored first with a simple penalty kick which was followed up with by a converted try when their consistent pressure was rewarded with a score out wide. Redditch responded well , skipper Matt Allen continuing his hot streak of scoring played the role of a pinball bouncing from would be tackler to attempted tackler and reaching out to the try line. The conversion was again scorned, a failing that Redditch need to to overcome soon before it starts to effect results.
An even encounter was developing , noted for the driving runs from the Redditch forwards, slick hands in the backs and a solid scrum. But too often the driving runs were unsupported and the ball was turned over and with their defensive pattern disrupted Atherstone took advantage with some productive runs of their own with their rangy second row taking advantage of slack tackles to extend the visitors lead and taking them into the break 5-15 up.
During the interval team manager Luke Kerins reminded his charges that there was nothing to be gained by going into contact and losing the ball, take small steps, recycle possession and build the phases. They embraced the concept properly and were rewarded with five tries of their own. Atherstone were also guilty of some high tackles which gave Redditch a steady supply of penalty ball to use. Matt Allen scored what appeared to be a legal try but the whistle had already gone to give Redditch a penalty, Stuart Brook was dispossessed in the act of scoring in a spell that saw the Kingfishers camped on the visitors try line
Atherstone had been picked and warned re high tackles but did not learn their lesson, a high shot on influential centre Tom Saddington resulted in a penalty try and yellow card and inspired the Kingfishers to raise their game a little more. Atherstone replied with a penalty kick but the bulk of the game was with Redditch. Active winger Connor Morris was given room wide to show his class, a high tackle again took him down but playing the advantage he got to his feet and made it to the line with a stretch. Soon afterwards Matt Allen cut a fine line form out to in catching the defenders flatfooted scoring a memorable try to give Redditch the lead for the first time.
The visitors were not finished, they took advantage of a loose ball and pounced out wide to regain the lead 22-23 but the final word came from a revitalised Redditch. Injury to scrum half James Mills meant a reorganisation of the back line. Full back Will Baillon moved to fly half ,in an attempt to catch Atherstone off guard he went for a chip and chase which paid dividends, from the ensuing ruck Jack Mertens pounced to score.
game management has been a problem of late for Redditch but the closing stages were handled very well, astute kicks kept the visitors pegged back out of danger and in the dying seconds Will Baillon scored their sixth try to round off a deserved victory.
making his first start for the first team Chris Upton looked as if he had been playing there regularly and was rewarded with the Man of the Match accolade. Micky essex had a great game in the unfamiliar hooker role and Jack Bacciocchi had another storming performance.
.jpg?v=638051651285546189){kind=link}
