Match report

Leicester Lions 12 Taunton Titans 6

Saturday 30th November 2019

Lions take their chances well and fought ‘doggedly’ in defence in the second half

League Points 4-1

Leicester Lions 12: Tries: Kaz Henderson (8, 18); Conversions: Max Johnson (19);
Taunton Titans 6: Penalties: Gary Kingdom (50, 79);

A sunny but cold afternoon greeted league leaders Titans for their first visit to TMDP Park, Blaby to play new comers to National Division 2 South, Leicester Lions. A wet, soft and greasy pitch made it an afternoon more suited to tight forward play.

Lions played the first half looking into the setting sun but quickly put Titans under pressure. Jamel Hamilton kicked through towards the corner testing the Titan's defence. Lions took advantage of their attacking pressure moving the ball through the backs across the pitch and back again for Kaz Henderson to find open space and dash over for the try and open the scoring for Lions.

On 18 mins Lions continued their pressure on Titans with Titans dropping the ball in the centre allowing Henderson to run through scoring his second try, with Max Johnson adding the conversion, taking the score 12-0.

Titans started to come back into the game with some powerful forward play.
Both sides had opportunities to score, but both sides had impressive defences that held their oppositions at bay.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 12 Taunton Titans 0

The second half started with Lions having the advantage of the slope and Titans having to face the setting sun.

Titans’ forward play started to put Lions under pressure, but Lions produced some effective tackling in defence.

On 50 mins Titans kicked through following up their pressure and Lions knocked on in defence. Titans took possession, but Lions gave away a penalty against the powerful Titans attacking. Gary Kingdom slotted over the penalty for Titans to take the score to 12-3.
As the rest of the second half progressed both sides had opportunities, with Titans having the upper hand putting Lions under pressure, but Lions showed some most resolute defensive tackling.

On 79 mins Titans pressure led to Lions conceding a penalty which was put between the posts by Kingdom to take the score to 12-6 and gave Titans the losing bonus point, in the last play of the game.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 12 Taunton Titans 6

A well competed victory with committed defence by Lions winning the day.

Spirited play by both sides made this a competitive game.

Following the game Lions are in fifth position in the league and Titans are in third position.
A good start to the season for Lions, with ten victories from the first thirteen fixtures.

Lions' head coach, Gareth Collins, said "I was delighted with the win and character of the team gaining a well contested win. The team stuck to the game plan with some good defensive play and an excellent effort throughout the team."

Titans' head coach, Tony Yapp, said "Much credit to Lions for the way they played the game. We made some errors and gave the ball away on occasions. We stepped up the pressure on Lions, but they defended especially well in the second half."

Teams – Order 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Leicester Lions: Alex WilHuckleberryson, Kaz Henderson, Luke Veebel, Jamel Hamilton, Devon Constant, Max Johnson, Alex Smit, Rhod McNaughton, Sam McNulty, Shaun Murray, Ollie Tapscott, Will Ward, Ed Sumpter, Jonny Murdoch, Nick Cairns
Replacements: Charlie Loveday, Will Roberts, Simon Johnson, Ethan Godefroy, James Stubbs
Taunton Titans: Greg Kitson, Jack Arnott, Tom Wyatt, Tom Popham, Oliver Down, Gary Kingdom, Lewis Webb, Connor Baker, George Gosling, Isaac Dalton, Barrie-John Chapman, Charlie Williams, Ben Oliphant-Thompson, Stuart Persey, Dan Lee
Replacements: Alex Spurdle, Gary Carpenter, Dan Ogden, Brett Harvey, James Tait