Report submitted by North East Worcestershire Ravens RLFC

Open age match Saturday May 12th: Ravens v Telford Raiders

NEW Ravens’ first home game of the season took place at Hopwood Park on Saturday against a very experienced Telford Raiders team.

Ravens had no less than five debutants taking part in this match, including three players who last season were playing in the under-16s. They were Josh Harrington, Jamie O’Donnell and Josh Liggett.

Ravens began with a strong first set and drove hard into the Raiders’ half of the playing field.

Following a knock-on, the subsequent scrum gave possession to Raiders who quickly found a way through some resolute Ravens defending to score the first try of the match duly converted. Raiders began to monopolise possession and scored further tries.

Ravens again drove hard into the opposition territory which resulted in a hand over in Raiders’ ‘20.

There then followed a fairly lengthy stoppage of play in order to attend to an accidental clash of heads between two Raiders players.

Just before half time Jonnie Mills scored one of his trademark tries for Ravens from close range. This was converted by David Wimbury who had a very good kicking game throughout the match.

After half time the experienced Raiders continued to exert pressure resulting in further tries until Jonnie Mills scored another try for Ravens, duly converted by David Wimbury.

Just before the full time whistle was due to be blown Ravens’ young Jamie O’Donnell from the fullback position, raced forward onto a loose ball which the Raiders had allowed to roll into their in-goal area and scored his debut try again converted by David Wimbury.

The final score was Ravens 18-64 Raiders,which belies the effort put in by Ravens who were fielding so many new and relatively inexperienced players.

The fitness levels of both playing squads was to be admired with the match being played in good spirits even though some of the tackling from both squads was immense.

Ravens next open age match is next Saturday away to Sherwood Wolf Hunt.

Ravens hold mixed touch rugby on Monday evenings at 7.30pm, senior training on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm with junior training on Sunday mornings at 10.30am.

New participants and supporters are always welcome, for further details visit newravensrl.co.uk