Stourbridge Lions 2nds 5 Redditch 2nds 32
REDDITCH 2nds avenged a couple of defeats to Stourbridge from earlier in the season with an impressive victory at Stourton Park on Saturday.
Using the first half advantage of wind and slope, the Redditch game plan was to keep the home side pinned in their own half, which they achieved handsomely.
A lineout 10m out was cleanly won and, with Stourbridge anticipating the ball being spread wide, Will Baillon cut back to the touch side and dived over in the corner for the first score.
Heads up and with confidence brimming, Redditch upped their game and went straight back on the attack. Scrum half Kit Hemming kept the ball moving in the backs whilst the young pack gained confidence from being competitive against a much more experienced pack opposite them.
Ballion showed another clean pair of heels to break a defensive line and feed lock Micky Adams who enjoyed his score which put the visitors 10-0 up.
Throughout the first half, Baillon used his booming right foot to great advantage with the backing breeze to keep Stourbridge in their own half most of the time.
With a plentiful squad, minor Redditch injuries could be rested rather than aggravated by continuing, enabling skipper Harvey Habgood to protect his side and see what some of the new faces could do with quality possession and the confidence of being on a winning side.
However, it was that man Baillon again who scored the next try, this time weaving through would-be tacklers, although none of the tries were converted.
Stourbridge had their moments but could not put together any consistently dangerous moves in the backs, although the pack was able to drive over for what turned out to be their only score of the day before the break.
The elements then gave Stourbridge the upper hand in theory but they could capitalise on it and within minutes of the turnaround winger Phil Harding snapped up a ball from a knock-on and outstripped the would-be home tacklers to score between the posts. Late replacement Sam Gladwin converted.
Gladwin scored the next try, starting his run from well inside his own half and looking for support all the way but had to go it alone.
The final try was a reward for the forwards who had been knocking on the door steadily before Wayne Buszco barged the last man out of the way and grounded for the sixth try.
The performance was testament to the blend of old heads and young legs and augers well for the future of Redditch 2nds and the club in general.
Redditch’s first team return to Midlands Four West (South) action at leaders Stoke Old Boys on Saturday.
