Match report 16/12/23

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   Leicester Lions 25 Cinderford 20
The Lions maintained hopes of survival with a much needed and hard fought win against a very physical Cinderford side.
The first half was mainly a battle for territory on a heavy pitch but it was the home side who struck first when Charlie Myall crossed in the corner on 15 minutes after scooping up a loose ball. Dan Lewis converted from out wide for a 7-0 lead.
Cinderford levelled the scores 5 minutes later though when they scored from their first driving lineout of the day following a kick to the corner after a breakdown penalty on half way. 
A Lewis penalty regained the lead for the home side but it was another converted try from another driving maul just before half time that gave Cinderford a narrow half time lead. 
HT 10-14
The Lions started the second half brightly and a kick through was chased down by Jake Sterland who's hard tackle on the opposition scrum half forced him to spill the ball and the flying winger hacked on and dived on the ball to score. Lewis converted for a 3 point lead. (17-14)
Both sides then wrestled for the lead in a very competitive period and two Winfield penalties from Cinderford gave them a 3 point lead before Lewis levelled the score with a penalty of his own with 15 minutes to go. (20-20).
The match winning score came on 70 minutes when the Lions attacked from deep and a Luke Bouchier break was finished off by Ogden who had just enough pace to beat the covering defence to the corner. (25-20).
The last 10 minutes was a nervy affair for the home support as the visitors pressed the Lions try line in the closing stages but the home side held firm and a crucial Simon Johnson turnover sealed the victory. 
Head coach Gareth Collins commented: ''Obviously today was a big game for us so we're delighted with the result. Cinderford are a really strong side and their set piece caused us lots of issues. It was never going to be easy to play our style of rugby in those conditions so I was really pleased with how we managed the game through our kicking game but still played with width when we could. There's a lot for us to be proud of from the first half of the season, and we're well in the fight to stay up, so we'll enjoy the Christmas break now and look forward to the challenge of the second of the season. We have certainly proved that we can more than compete at this level and have nothing, or no one. to fear.''

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tigerburnie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List World Cup Winner Joined: 10 Jun 2012 Location: Scotland Status: Online Points: 3800	Post Options Post Reply Quote tigerburnie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Match report 16/12/23 Posted: 17 Dec 2023 at 19:26
	Leicester Lions 25 Cinderford 20 The Lions maintained hopes of survival with a much needed and hard fought win against a very physical Cinderford side. The first half was mainly a battle for territory on a heavy pitch but it was the home side who struck first when Charlie Myall crossed in the corner on 15 minutes after scooping up a loose ball. Dan Lewis converted from out wide for a 7-0 lead. Cinderford levelled the scores 5 minutes later though when they scored from their first driving lineout of the day following a kick to the corner after a breakdown penalty on half way. A Lewis penalty regained the lead for the home side but it was another converted try from another driving maul just before half time that gave Cinderford a narrow half time lead. HT 10-14 The Lions started the second half brightly and a kick through was chased down by Jake Sterland who's hard tackle on the opposition scrum half forced him to spill the ball and the flying winger hacked on and dived on the ball to score. Lewis converted for a 3 point lead. (17-14) Both sides then wrestled for the lead in a very competitive period and two Winfield penalties from Cinderford gave them a 3 point lead before Lewis levelled the score with a penalty of his own with 15 minutes to go. (20-20). The match winning score came on 70 minutes when the Lions attacked from deep and a Luke Bouchier break was finished off by Ogden who had just enough pace to beat the covering defence to the corner. (25-20). The last 10 minutes was a nervy affair for the home support as the visitors pressed the Lions try line in the closing stages but the home side held firm and a crucial Simon Johnson turnover sealed the victory. Head coach Gareth Collins commented: ''Obviously today was a big game for us so we're delighted with the result. Cinderford are a really strong side and their set piece caused us lots of issues. It was never going to be easy to play our style of rugby in those conditions so I was really pleased with how we managed the game through our kicking game but still played with width when we could. There's a lot for us to be proud of from the first half of the season, and we're well in the fight to stay up, so we'll enjoy the Christmas break now and look forward to the challenge of the second of the season. We have certainly proved that we can more than compete at this level and have nothing, or no one. to fear.''