Telford Raiders got off to a solid start on Saturday when they travelled to the cleverly rebranded North East Worcestershire Ravens, formerly Redditch Ravens.
While the start of Summer Rugby might have been marred by overcast and wet weather, those spectators who travelled to Bromsgrove RFC were treated to a highly competitive tussle with no short amount of skill in difficult conditions.
The beginning of the game was always likely to be nervy with both teams fielding what were two much-changed sides trying to ease their way into the game.
Following the transfer of Great Britain Community Lions prop Matt Evans to Coventry Bears and the absence of Adam Corbett, the Telford pack looked to be short of size on paper.
One thing they were not short of was heart, and the Raiders didn’t take a backwards step.
This grit in the forwards, and the exerts of young Jamie Derry, making his competitive senior debut, ensured that Telford dominated field position in the early stages. However a lack of composure and some poor last tackle decisions saw Telford unable to convert their early pressure into points.
After withstanding early pressure, it was the Ravens who carved out the better opportunities to take the lead. Loose forward, and former Raider, Rich Whitehouse could have been awarded a penalty-try when he felt he was tripped chasing his own kick into the in goal area.
It was North-East Worcester who would trouble the scorers first just before half time when they were able to burrow over close to the line following a penalty.
Despite going in 4-0 down at half time, coach Fred Baker remained calm and emphasised the need for composure.
The second half began with both sets of forwards trying to assert their dominance.
Eddie Foulkes’ sprightliness around the ruck constantly challenged the Ravens defence, helped Telford’s forwards to get on top, and allowed the Raiders again to dominate in the early stages of the second half.
Telford took advantage of their field position by using their newly formed halves combination of scrum-half Baker and standoff Smith, and it was Smith who was first to profit from the partnership with a clever step close to the line which enabled him to get over and tie the scores at 4-4.
Raiders followed this with a trio of quick fire tries, the first coming from experienced
loose forward Chris Tinsley, who spotted a gap in the Worcestershire line and weaved his way over to give Raiders a lead with the conversion added by Hayden Strong.
This was followed by a pair of well finished powerful efforts by Raiders’ captain
Paul Szehofner.
With Strong off the field Patrick Crehan took over the kicking duties only to be denied by the blustery conditions giving Telford an 18-4 advantage.
Worcestershire mounted a comeback but the Raiders defence was stiffened by the return to action of player-manager Chris Watson who made his first appearance for the club in six years following a horrific ankle injury.
Despite a late consolation for the Ravens following a high kick into the corner Telford’s defence were able to see out the closing minutes with a deserved 18-8 victory.
Following the game Watson was in a pensive mood, saying: “While this was a league game and the two points are important, these first few games are all about getting the performance right.
“We have had a big turnover of players in the off season and the lads out there will have learnt a lot about one another today, which will hopefully provide us with the foundations to build on for the rest of the season.”
Telford will be pleased to pick up the two points as winning is bound to breed confidence, but they will be under no illusions that improvements have to be made if they want to push on from their encouraging start.