Redditch RFC

At last we had the oportunity to play some rugby (albeit sevens) as Redditch took a team across to the Aston Sevens.

The report follows:

Team- Dafydd Jones, TK, Will Spires, Connor Morris, Ian Beale, George Docker, Matt Allen, Michael Allen, Mikey Adam’s, Loran Abbotts, Jack Bacciochi, Leo Fanthome, Chris Upton, Clarke Parker.

Game1 Redditch V Old Yardelians 33-17

Redditch started off quickly and caught out Old Yards with 3 quick scores to quickly take a strong lead and never looked like losing from there. The lads picked and carried well drawing in a lot of defenders, allowing Will Spires to release the wide players for clean run ins. A stand out moment was a brilliant try saving tackle by TK against a man much larger than himself before pinching the ball for a length of the field score.

Game2 Redditch V Five Ways Old Edwardians 29-12

Picking up where we left off, we kept the rugby simple, working hard to support each other, the ball was taken into contact and recycled at such a quick pace FOE rarely had chance to get set defensively allowing Connor Morris to run riot before an unfortunate ankle injury ended his afternoon. Chris Upton played a huge part in restricting the opposition to only two scores being dominant in every tackle he made and and leading the way with some excellent counter rucking.

Game3 Redditch V Dixonians 44-36

Possibly the game we felt most confident in winning, turned out to be the most difficult we played. Dixonians were given a confidence boost when they were able to add a few new faces to their team in a hope to keep themselves in the competition. But Redditch adapted. Kept the ball tight, and ran it, making the most of Mikey Adam’s physicality and Leo Fanthomes quick feet, against much smaller and unorganised tacklers. 8 tries in all for Redditch in a well deserved win.

Game4 Redditch V Jigsaws 36-12

With nothing to lose, and a place in the Final guaranteed, Redditch could finally throw  caution to the wind and play some champagne rugby. Some good hands across the team moving the ball quickly, put Matt Allen in for yet another easy try and some hot stepping from Jack Bacciochi delighting the crowd. Even though we were able to relax, defensively Redditch didn’t take the foot off the gas, hitting back Jigsaws as hard as we had hit anyone all afternoon.

Final Redditch V Old Saltleians 19-5

Into the final, we faced a very tough and aggressive Old Salts side, but Redditch raced into a quick three try lead. Boosted by the help of a few Erdington stand ins Redditch had to put up a great densive effort to keep Old Salts to only one try, Michael Allen and Clarke Parker constantly chopping big runners, Ian Beale got round the pitch hitting anything that moved and three times George Docker held his man up over the try line. The boys really dug deep, put their bodies on the line and supported each other to see the game out, staying calm, playing sensibly and soaking up the seconds, something this Redditch team isn’t well known for.

Also Dafydd Jones should be mentioned, he worked tirelessly all day to make sure the lads were organised, the kit was sorted and he made sure the day ran smoothly, which was a lot to ask of him considering he only came to watch.

So, at the first time of asking, the lads brought home a trophy which was quickly given pride of place in the Trophy Cabinet.

And everyone was proud to show off their winners' medals.

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