Despite all the recent rain and cold weather, Veseyans travelled to local neighbours Lichfield for a friendly match and in search of their first victory. However, with only a small squad of 16 the odds were stacked heavily against them so the order of the day was to put in a first half performance to equal recent second half displays. Unfortunately, Lichfield scored with their very first attack with simple hands and were soon 7-0 up on the scoreboard.
However, for the next 20 mins the game was played out in the middle of the park with neither team able to build pressure in the oppositions 22 and Veseyans work-ons in the week paid dividends as they bossed the breakdown against a much more bigger and physical team. Eventually, the home side did put some good phases together and scored just before half time to lead 12-0 at the break. For the first time the colts were in a game at half time and were confident of closing the gap going into the second half. The home side realised they needed to change there style and with their larger squad made multiple substitutions and fielded a virtually full U18 team for the second half.
This had the desired impact and in a 12-minute spell scored 3 well executed tries around the edge of our defence to take the game away from us and open up a lead of 29-0. Veseyans, clearly tiring now and having lost the very impressive Cam Longmore didn’t buckle and carried on to be very dominant in the close quarter contests and it was only when the home team could put width on their attack did they cause us trouble. With only a minute left on the clock the visitors continued to play from their own half but lost possession allowing a final score and eventual 43-0 loss.
For those who witnessed the game the performance of the Veseyans team was outstanding. They never let their heads drop, the work at the breakdown against a much larger team was the major improvement in recent weeks and as the captain, Max Powell stated, that performance in our league fixtures will win more games than they will lose.
Thanks for Lichfield for getting the game on but the true winners were our boys who were a real credit to themselves and the shirt.....well done everyone and we look forward to Stafford next week.
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