Sat 12 Feb 2022
The crippling injury list currently plaguing RRFC meant that first team debuts were scattered throughout the side, not an ideal situation to take on a top three side with. On a wet windy afternoon the game was an even contest for the first quarter, both sides testing each other out , both sides making errors.
Home full back Ollie Stokes made some searching runs, one of which was ended when he was tackled high, from the ensuing penalty Richie Beddard barged over for the opening score. With confidence increasing R maintained their pressure and were rewarded with another try when another Stokes break gave John Beale the space to cut infield resulting in Leo Fanthome having an easy run in for a try which James Mills converted.
Any thoughts that his was going to be a similar result to the corresponding fixture in October were quickly dispelled when the visitors were rewarded for a controlled driving maul for a converted try to make it 12-7 at the break.
Second half had R with the wind in their faces and a K side revitalised by their score. R were caught flatfooted by a move from the base of a scrum for another converted try and a two point lead for K. More injuries resulted in more switches and positional manoeuvring which initially paid off. Territory was built upon and time spent in the opposition 22m resulted in Mikey Adams squeezing over the line out wide putting R back in the lead.
MIkey Adams shows his strength to cross out wide.
However the closing phase of the game proved to be crucial, the lack of experience and more injuries meant the visitors were able to exploit gaps in the resolute R defence, running in two late tries for the victory.
Injuries take their toll for both sides.
This Saturday R play host to Stourport and with the injury crisis showing little sign of alleviating it could be another testing fixture.
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