A relatively cagey first 10 minutes from both sides saw a lot of kicking as they both tried to win a territorial battle. This was largely won by the Lions who continuously put the ball in to the Albion 22. A penalty conceded on half way for holding on gave the home side their first visit in to the Lions 22 though and the huge pack rumbled over the line with hooker Harry Wilkinson dotting down at the back of the maul. Tom Putt added the extras.

The lead was quickly doubled when Albion centre Pita Ratukadreu crossed after some good hands across the pitch from the home side, and then prop Dan Pullinger made a break down the blindside when the Lions were on the attack to score the third. The bonus point was secured with just over 20 minutes gone when Wilkinson drove over again for his second. Putt adding two of the conversion for a commanding 26-0 lead.

The Lions responded well though and a superbly worked team move was eventually finished off in the left corner by winger Joey Patrick. Shortly afterwards lock Geordie Irvine, on debut, showed quick thinking by tapping and going on the Plymouth 22 to cross under the sticks. Dan Lewis adding the extras on both occasions to leave the half time score at 26-14.The Lions continued on the foot foot at the start of the second half and when the pack pushed the notorious Plymouth scrum off their own ball, number 8 Simon Koroiyadi dived over from close range. Lewis adding the extras again. The hosts soon restored their 12 point advantage though through another catch and drive that was again finished off by Wilkinson for his hattrick try. Putt with the extras once more.

The Lions pushed hard in the next period and spent a large amount of time in the opponents 22 but although there was no shortage of effort their lack of accuracy at key moments meant the home side were able to survive unscathed. The game ended with two late scored for Albion that put a slightly unfair reflection on the scoreline although the result was fully deserved.

The Lions will rue missed chances again to leave without at least one bonus point but can take heart from a spirited performance against a very strong Plymouth side who will probably have eyes on a potential promotion to the Championship.

Head coach Gareth Collins commented; ''We needed a response after last week as we felt we lacked the fight that we'd like to think characterises us. We showed a huge amount of that today to get ourselves back in the contest. We also created much more than last week and had our chances but unfortunately our accuracy in those key areas let us down again. Ultimately their efficiency in the 22 was much better than ours and that was the difference. We are desperately disappointed not to have got something from the game but we pushed a top side away from home really hard and we will take the positivity of that in to next week.''

Teams:

Plymouth Albion (1-15:
Dan Pullinger, Harry Wilkinson, Jenson Boughton, Brad Howe, Angus Hodges, Sonny Hirini, Torin Clarke, Sam Daly ©, Morgan Stone, Phil Jones, Craig Duncan, Archie Hill, Seta Raumakita, Pita Ratukadreu, Tom Putt
Replacements: Gabe Mead, Ramaz Rukhadze, Dan Collier, Jack Oulton, Connor Eastgate

Leicester Lions (1-15):

Will Roberts, Olly Taylor, Aaron Dawson, Ethan Godfrey, Geordie Irvine, Simon Johnson, Johnny Murdoch, Simon Koroiyadi, James Stubbs, Dan Lewis, Joey Patrick, Dan Martin, Jamel Hamilton, Jake Sterland, Luke Bourchier
Replacements: Drew Rudkin, Isaac Thompson, Devon Coulson, Oscar McCarthy, Joe Brock