14/1/23 Match report

Leicester Lions 23 Luctonians 3

Saturday 14th January 2023

League Points 4-0

Leicester Lions 23: Tries: Will Ward (27), Ethan Godefroy (65), Devon Constant (73); Conversions: Ben Young (29); Penalties: Ben Young (5, 42);
Luctonians 3: Penalties: Louis Silver (1);

Lions show their class with committed second half display

Leicester Lions welcomed Luctonians to Westleigh Park for a game between two sides that had both been in good form recently. Rain during the week and on the morning of the game gave a sodden playing surface with a stiff breeze blowing down the slope. Lions played down the slope in the first half, with the wind behind them.

During the opening play of the game, Lions conceded a penalty which Silver slotted between the posts for Luctonians.

Lions quickly retaliated when Luctonians offended and Young landed the ball between the posts from the penalty levelling the game at 3-3.

Play continued between two well matched sides until Lions took the upper hand with their second row Will Ward driving over for the opening try of the game, with Young adding the conversion.

Lions were starting to take control at the scrums, but the rest of the first half play was well balanced with no more points on the scoreboard.

Half-Time: Leicester Lions 10 Luctonians 3

Lions came out after the interval in a determined mood, but having to play into the breeze. Young added a penalty for Lions stretching their lead.

Luctonians lack of discipline started to show in the final quarter of the game. They conceded four yellow cards in this phase of the game, which made a significant difference.

Lions’ Ethan Godefroy made good use of the pressure they were exerting and drove over for a typical back row try as the second try of the game.

With the yellow cards taking increasing effect and some dashing play by Lions, their winger Devon Constant sped through the Luctonians defence for the third try of the afternoon.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 23 Luctonians 3

An excellent game, with both sides having opportunities, but Lions second half determination won the day. Lions’ efforts in adverse conditions gave them their 14th win of the season from 15 games, with some enterprising play.

Lions’ Head Coach, Gareth Collins, commented: “Luctonians are a great side and they’ve been in really good form recently so we knew it would be a very difficult game. They are especially good defensively so we worked hard in the week on how we were going to break them down. Unfortunately the really difficult weather conditions changed things slightly and it took us a while to get a grip of the game. Once we did though I thought we were really good. In those conditions your pack has to dominate the set piece and we did just that. We’re now looking forward to another huge game against Dings away next week.“

Lions’ Chairman, Ken Whitehead added: “In spite of a soggy pitch the lads played well, especially in the second half when the playing surface was cutting up and they were playing into the strong breeze. Much credit to the team and Gareth.”

Teams: 15-9, 1-8, Replacements:-

Leicester Lions: WilHuckleberryson, Watkins, Martin, Bouchier, Constant, Young, Stubbs, Williams, Gradwick-Light, Thompson, Tapscott, Ward, Godefroy, Murdoch, Johnson Replacements: Rudkin, Murray, Cairns, Owen, Hamilton

Luctonians: Watkins, Grimes, Aikman, Parkes, Wheeler, Jones, Silver, Deignan, Small, White, Smith, Harriott-Davis, Benson, Robinson-Hall, Cheshire
Replacements: Smith, Powell, Pearson, Hackley, Bengry