Redditch RFC

Redditch pulled out the stops during last week and became one of the very few teams in the Midlands to fulfill their fixture.

A great job was done by Luke Kerins and Stu Hope in liasing with players and Stourport RFC.

In the end we had a front row but no front row replacements. The back line was much changed with AJ coming in to scrum half and veteran James Mills moving out to stand off and Will Spires moving out one to 12.

And super vet Garry Mills was on the bench but managed to escape by running the touch.

The ground was crinkly, OK where the grass cover was intact but very firm where the mud was exposed. The captains and the referee agreed it was playable and so it proved to be.

The score was not really a reflection of the match and it seemed a lot closer than the score might suggest.

Redditch's patched up scrum was no match for the powerful Stourport 8, but they fronted up scrum after scrum, and never called for the "soft option" of calling for uncontested scrums.

Redditch defended bravely but with little set piece ball coming to them the defensive effort was mighty. Stourport ran the ball at every opportunity running Redditch from side to side until the gaps appeared.

Perversely Redditch had their best period of play in the last 10 minutes after Stourport had made some replacements. Just as we might have expected Redditch to be tiring and Stourport to be fresh the opposite occurred.

Suddenly the scrum was holding its own and with a little possession Redditch were able to score under the posts. This lifted the spirits but further runs by Jon Beale and Clarke Parker were met by smashing tackles from the fired up Stourport players.

The positional changes in the back line seemed to work and the centres worked well together in defence. The massive effort by the forwards is to be commended but the result went in favour of the home team who were fit, fast and well drilled with a good command of the basics of Rugby.

Next week is the last game of the year when we will be taking a coach to Hereford. Cost is £5 and for a further £5 you can have discounted entry to the club Oompah Night on our return from Hereford.

Tickets for both events are available behind the bar.