Sat 19 Feb 2022
On a cold wet windy afternoon injury ravaged Redditch managed to muster a side together to take on 4th placed Stourport, they put up a valiant fight but ultimately the strong visitors took the bonus point win to stretch further away from Redditch in 5th.
Before the game both sides lined up to join with supporters in a minute's applause in memory of Jack Jeffrey, an Evesham player who tragically died whilst playing last weekend.
Despite having the gale at their backs RE declined to use it too much relying on incremental chip kicks to gain ground which were invariably run straight back at them. Tackling was solid and effectual though S were able to manoeuvre overlaps too often and ran in three first half tries, all pretty much the same play with space on the right wing.
In reply R were strongest with the ball held in the pack, James Widdop kicked a penalty to get the wheels moving but the backline struggled in the first half to make much of an impression on a solid S defensive line. R were denied a driving maul try on the stroke of half time when the referee decreed the ball was held up, it was the closest they would get to the try line, and turned around 3 -15 down.
REDDITCH DRIVE FOR THE LINE BUT ARE DENIED BY THE REFEREE'S WHISTLE
The ball was slippy, the wind whipping around and squally showers which often made handling a lottery and any fluid flowing rugby became impossible. An early penalty try in the second half for a collapsed scrum on their line gave S their bonus point and tied up the result. However the next 35 minutes were probably R's strongest spell of the game.
AJ Lewis at scrum half began to make ground supported by his pack, Aaron Atkinson made some elusive breaks, captain for the day Michael Allen set an example to his pack to pick and drive and Takunda Kahwa at full back was solid under the high kicks that came his way, but again, not as often as was anticipated. Defying
A last minute breakaway try brought the game to an end. R were grateful to finish the game without any more major injuries that have plagued them so far this year, though the veteran back row of Duncan Davis, Richie Beddard and, for the last 10 minutes, Garry Mills, a combined age of 143 will no doubt be creaking on Sunday.
R have a week off to heal some injuries before an away game at St Leonard, Stafford on March 5th
Photo RB, GM, DD combined age of 143
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