Match report 12/11/22

Saturday 12th November 2022

League Points 5-0

Leicester Lions 31: Tries: Jamel Hamilton (8), James Stubbs (18, 41), Zach Bean (53); Conversions: Ben Young (9, 19, 42, 54); Penalties: Luke Bouchier (69);
Redruth 15: Tries: Dan Rutter (3), Dean Bonds (38); Conversions: Fraser Honey (39); Penalties: Fraser Honey (30);

Lions show their class with powerful second half display, consolidating their lead at the top of National League 2 West

Leicester Lions welcomed fellow league contenders Redruth to Westleigh Park for a top of the table derby. Lions played down the slope in the first half, but into a zephyr of a breeze. The bright mild afternoon weather was not what is usually expected for mid-November rugby.

Redruth started with a neat movement up the left hand of the pitch, shifting the ball to Dan Rutter who sliced through the Lions defence to go over for the opening try after 3 minutes.

Soon afterwards Lions quickly came back at Redruth when they stole the ball off them in open play with Jamel Hamilton racing off down the wing, with some smart interchanges with supporting Lions players, to speed over for their opening try of the afternoon, with Ben Young adding the conversion, taking Lions into the lead.

Lions put Redruth on the back foot with some forward driving play, when their scrum half, James Stubbs, spotted a gap in the Redruth defence and to dart over for a try, with Young adding the extras, to take them into a 14-5 lead.

Redruth put Lions under pressure for the last ten minutes of the first half. Lions offended, conceding a penalty, which Fraser Honey scored. This was quickly followed up by more Redruth pressure, with Dean Bonds carving through the Lions’ defence for a try, with Honey adding the extras, taking the half time score to 14-15.

Half-Time: Leicester Lions 14 Redruth 15

Lions came out after the interval in a determined mood. They quickly pushed Redruth back with some powerful play, with Stubbs again following up a forwards drive, nipping through the gap for a try, with Young adding the extras, taking Lions back into the lead.

Shifting the ball out to the backs, Zach Bean sped past the Redruth cover defence to score Lions fourth try of the afternoon, with Young again adding the conversion.

Redruth offended and Luke Bouchier added the penalty to begin to stretch the game beyond Redruth.

In the last ten minutes both sides had opportunities, but no more points were put on the scoreboard.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 31 Redruth 15

An excellent game, with both sides having chances, but Lions second half determination won the day. Some determined dogged defence by Lions kept Lions in the game in the latter part of the first half.

Lions’ Head Coach, Gareth Collins, commented: “Today is a real milestone for us as a group. Ever since I started at Lions I’ve seen Redruth as the pinnacle of this level. To beat them by the scoreline that we have today really shows how far we’ve come in those three years. Redruth are a side that give everything and we knew they’d come after us from the outset. We were very disappointed to come in at half time losing when we felt we were the dominant side, but the way the boys responded to the half time messages was brilliant. They stuck to the plan second half and got the job done. To not concede a point against such a good side for a half of rugby was pretty special. We have to accept that we’re in a promotion battle now but we’ll continue to take it one week at a time.”

Lions’ Chairman, Ken Whitehead, commented: “A most impressive display by the lads under the guidance of Gareth and his coaching team.”

Teams: 15-9, 1-8, Replacements:-
Leicester Lions: WilHuckleberryson, Watkins, Hamilton, Martin, Bean, Young, Stubbs, Williams, Taylor, Thompson, Tapscott, Ward, Johnson, Murdoch, Godefroy Replacements: Rudkin, Murray, Owen, Constant, Bouchier
Redruth: White, Thomas, Simmons, Rutter, Bonds, Honey, Hall, Phillips, Brown, Tompsett, Prisk, Pascoe, Fox, King, Stevens
Replacements: Williams, Barnes, Hambly, Lynes, Hattam