Sat 29 Feb 2020, 14:30
Redditch got back to winning ways on Saturday v Stourport and put the pressure on other contenders in the race for promotion. The visitors were grateful to see dry land as their own pitches are currently under 3ft of water being on the River Severn flood plain. In fact Redditch hosted the only game to be played in their league, the inevitable backlog in fixtures could well have a bearing on when the final places will be decided.
Playing into the gale of storm Jorge, Redditch were content to soak up the pressure, hold their shape in defense and break away when possible,. Rather than try and kick aimlessly into the wind the majority of exits came from good old fashioned carries led from the front by skipper Matt Allen, ably assisted by all his pack who organised their pods nicely to push the visitors steadily backwards.
The tactic worked well, handling wasn't perfect in the slippery conditions, but Redditch were able to blunt the attacks Stourport threw together and had the occasional foray themselves. Stuart Brooks and Allen linked well from a cheeky 22 drop out but a dropped ball let them down, Stourport were unable to get to grips with the strength of the wind and too often kicked possession away making Redditch's job easier.
But as often happens, the well planned moves come to nothing yet the spontaneous events bear fruit. A ruck 30m out from their own line didn't seem to be of particular danger to Redditch until the visitors second row picked up and virtually strolled unopposed to the tryline, quite how he gained possession still remains a mystery. The try was converted giving stourport the advantage at half time 0-7.
Roles were reversed after the break, Redditch having the wind at their backs spent a lot more time in the opponents half driving forward, Dan Oscroft, Micky Essex and Mike Allen carried the ball hard into the heart of the Stourport defense, Josh Kearney and Jack Mertens in the centres joined in the fun too. Pressure was rewarded with an attacking scrum, in a bid to counteract the wind flyhalf Will Spires attempted a low grubber kick for the backs to run onto, but luck was against him and his kick through ricocheted into the hands of a Stourport back who had the pace to run 60m and under the posts, the follow up kick made it 0-14
It was around this time that luck changed ends and fortunes radically altered. From an offensive ruck Jack Bacciocchi spilled a pass but it went unnoticed, there followed a spell of confusion as the ball ping ponged through various hands only to end up back with Bacciocchi who dived over in the corner for their first try.
Virtually from the kick off Spires chose the running option to make ground instead of the boot, his keenly timed pass allowed debutant fullback Cameron Wood to showcase his skills, weaving between attempted tackles and scoring under the posts. The momentum was now with Redditch, they kept driving and mostly keeping the ball in hand, not only was the wind playing havoc with kicks for both sides but the lineouts themselves were a farce.
Stourport were reeling, the waves of pressure had them struggling to keep Redditch at bay, losing their scrumhalf to a yellow card for tackling his opposite man without the ball didn't help. From the ensuing penalty move Bacciocchi barged over for his second try and not long after that from a dominant scrum the ever active Essex barrelled over under the posts, these three tries all being converted by Spires.
In a short spell Redditch had turned things around to lead 26-14 and although Stourport did get one late try back, they rarely worried the Kingfishers.
On paper at least Redditch appeared to be missing some first choice names, on the pitch this was not evident, the back three of Wood, with Jon Beale and Leon Fanthome on the wings were solid under the kicks that came their way and more than able to restrain their opposite men and make life dangerous in attack.
Most of the game was forwards dominated and any one of them would have been a worthy Man of the Match, but the accolade went to Cameron Wood, solid, confident and worthy recipient.
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