Match report 15/12/19

Leicester Lions 10 Henley Hawks 14

Saturday 14th December 2019

Leicester Lions 10: Tries: Devon Constant (65); Conversions: Ben Young (66); Penalties: Ben Young (3);
Henley Hawks 14: Tries: Alex Bradley (22), Xavier Andre (43); Conversions: Brad Cook (23, 44);

League Points 1-4

Lions meet their match against Hawks, despite some valiant defence throughout the game.

It was a cold and raw afternoon for Henley Hawks’ first visit to Leicester Lions at TMDP Park, Blaby.

Hawks had early possession moving the ball out along their backs when Lions' centre, Luke Veebel, grabbed an interception, juggled the ball and moved play towards the Hawks' line. Under pressure Hawks conceded a penalty for Lions' Ben Young to open the scoring with a penalty after 3 mins.

Hawks started to put Lions under pressure with some powerful forward play.
After 22 mins Hawks drove forward with some powerful rolling maul forward play for their No 8, Alex Bradley, to dive over for a try, with Brad Cook adding the conversion, taking Hawks into the lead 3-7.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 3 Henley Hawks 7

At the start of the second half Hawks continued their forward pressure play, with Xavier Andre following up the pack and going over for Hawks' second try of the afternoon, with Brad Cook adding the extras, opening up the score to 3-14.

Lions were under pressure from Hawks but their well organised defensive play and tackling kept them in the game.

On 65 mins Lions put Hawks under pressure with effective driving play. Their winger, Devon Constant, took possession of the ball and drove through the Hawks' defence on their try line. Devon was tackled just short of the line, but managed to stretch out to ground the ball for a try, with Ben Young adding the conversion, closing the score to 10-14.

In the last ten minutes of the game both sides had opportunities, but Hawks powerful forward play had the dominant effect.

After 71 mins Lions' Alex Smit was yellow carded for a technical offence.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 10 Henley Hawks 14

A well contested game with both sides having opportunities. Hawks structured driving play gave them the upper hand during the game. Following the game Lions were in sixth position in the league and Hawks in second position.

Lions' head coach, Gareth Collins, said, "This was a competitive game, with Hawks having some powerful forward play that gave them the upper hand. Much to their credit Lions defended well and showed their determination against a cohesive and effective Hawks' team. We have had a most pleasing first half of the season with our debut in National League 2 South, with ten victories from fifteen games."

Teams – Order 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Leicester Lions: Max Johnson, Kaz Henderson, Luke Veebel, Jamel Hamilton, Devon Constant, Ben Young, James Stubbs, Rhod McNaughton, Drew Rudkin, Shaun Murray, Ollie Tapscott, Will Ward, Ed Sumpter, Jonny Murdoch, Nick Cairns
Replacements: George Taylor-Walker, Will Roberts, Simon Johnson, Laurence Warren-West, Alex Smit
Henley Hawks: George Wood, Reuben Norville, George Griffiths, Connor Morrison, Jack Robinson, Alex Burrage, Ewan Fenley, Rory Mason, Brad Cook, Charlie Hughes, Sam Lunnon, David Hyde, Marcus Lowe, Will Bordill, Alex Bradley
Replacements: Elliot Deacon, George Primett, Angus Hinton, Scott White, Xavier Andre