Sat 22 Feb 2020, 14:30
If Redditch are to escape this league they will face opposition like this on a regular basis, they will need to improve if they are to survive. Though the Redditch pack was dominant in the loose and set pieces they were unable to create any meaningful threats against a home side who seemed able to make ground at will.
Kicking with the wind in the first half Redditch were unable to use it as effectively as they would have hoped. Ash Mooney slotted over a 40m penalty kick using the breeze nicely but before they could settle down to build on it a simple interception saw the Welsh centre run 60m virtually unopposed to score, the conversion was charged down by Will Baillon. Keeping the ball in hand more the Rugby side slowly ground their way up the pitch again securing a scrummage near the Redditch line, with possession won, the ball was neatly spun along the backs line to an eagerly awaiting winger to score their second try, conversion was missed
Redditch had their moments but seemed blunted in their ambitions, the usual charges by Matt Allen, Jack Bacciocchi and Mike Essex that regularly provide the platform for attacks were stopped short by the defensive pattern that Rugby Welsh implemented. The homeside back line was bigger man for man than Redditch and it showed, they seemed to be able to make more yardage than Redditch and in turn were able to stifle Redditch attacks before they bore fruit.
However there was always a glint of hope, the Redditch pack made valuable ground when driving in unison and a string of home side penalties kept Redditch in the game, Mooney doubling the visitors score with a twice taken penalty kick. 10-6 at the break.
If Redditch could hang on for a while in the second half, use the possession wisely and gain confidence then they were still in with a shout however things turned against them very quickly when a deep kick wasn't dealt with particularly well, the ball was turned over and Rugby scored under the posts. A body blow for the Kingfishers, but heads didn't go down, James Mills kept nudging has pack forward, Man of the Match Stu Brookes took up the baton and made ground whenever possible and slowly Redditch took control of the ball but were unable to escape from their own half.
At times it was hard to tell just why certain penalties had been awarded, to either side, but a blatant late charge on Will Heath gave Redditch a chance to clear their half, however the gale had other ideas and kept the ball in play, it was fed down the line to a second row who was eager to impress, which he did by running in untouched from the half way. Other potential tries were saved with last ditch tackles notably by Baillon and Mills in opposing corners. Redditch could have been overrun but their determination to keep the score looking respectable was commendable.
A late penalty kick rounded off the scoring, Rugby Welsh had the bonus point win which, except for a miracle, will mean they will probably be promoted. The second promotion place looks likely to be between Redditch and Chaddesley Corbett though Atherstone and Five Ways OE will still have their say too. If Redditch do make it to the final hurdle and step up a division they will need to tighten up their defense and sharpen their attacks.
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