Match report 30/4/22

Saturday 30th April 2022

League Points 5-1

Leicester Lions 24: Tries: Simon Johnson (30), Will Helliwell (42, 58), Nick Cairns (60); Conversions: Ben Young (31, 61).
Redruth 19: Tries: Richard Brown (3), Will Trewin (32), Sam Stevens (50); Conversions: Fraser Honey (4, 51);

Lions grit wins the day against Redruth

An entertaining game was promised between fifth placed Lions and second place Redruth

Lions were expecting a testing afternoon against second placed Redruth, who had beaten Lions 27-5 in the reverse fixture on the first Saturday in September 2021 of the 2021/22 season.

Lions played up the slope in the first half, but with a cross pitch breeze.

Redruth took control of the initial phases of the game putting Lions under pressure. The Redruth dominance in the first quarter soon saw them score following powerful forward driving play. On 3 mins Redruth pressurised the Lions line and their forward play produced a try for their hooker, Richard Brown, converted by Fraser Honey.

As the first half developed Lions started to come back into the game, taking a ball from their lineout, skilfully shipped to Simon Johnson, who went through the gap to open Lions scoring with a try, converted by Ben Young, levelling the score at 7-7.

From the restart kick Lions mishandled the ball and Will Trewin, for Redruth, collected the bouncing ball, to skip over for a try, almost unopposed.

Half-Time: Leicester Lions 7 Redruth 12

Lions returned to scoring at the start of the second half when they attacked Redruth, working the ball out to the right for their fullback, Will Helliwell, to go round the Redruth defence for a try.

Redruth soon retaliated with the ball going out towards the wing and back row, Sam Stevens, who crashed over for a try, converted by Honey to take the score to 12-19.

Lions shifted up a gear and pushed Redruth off the ball at scrum, worked it out by a slick pass by James Stubbs, who skilfully slipped the ball out to Helliwell who went over near the corner for a try.

At the start of the last quarter of the match Lions were defending against Redruth in their own 22. An electric break out and smart interpassing took Lions all the way down the pitch to score a try by Nick Cairns, converted by Young from near the touch line, taking Lions into a 24-19 lead. No doubt the try of the match.

Both sides had scoring opportunities in the final quarter, but both defences held firm.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 24 Redruth 19

A nail biting game, which either side could have won. A match of spirited flowing rugby by both sides.

Four tries to Lions and three to Redruth, giving Lions the extra bonus point.

Following the games Lions were in fifth position in National League 2 South, with Redruth in second position, but having lost their chance to move up the ladder.

So far Lions record for the season is played 29, won 20, drawn 0, lost 9. Confirmation of whether the postponed Lions v Guernsey game is to go ahead is awaited.

Lions head coach, Gareth Collins, said: “We’ve had some great games this year but beating Redruth, who have missed out on promotion by the narrowest of margins, is the best of the lot for me. To do it without a number of our leaders such Ollie Tapscott, Ollie Taylor and Alex WilHuckleberryson as well makes it even better. The lads really stepped up today, having to dig deep to get the result. Really proud of the whole group.”

Lions chairman, Ken Whitehead, said: “A most pleasing win against second placed Redruth, especially after the disappointing reverse fixture in September 2021. A real indicator of how we have improved as the season progressed.”

Teams: 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Leicester Lions: Will Helliwell, Jake Sterland, Zach Bean, Jamel Hamilton, Devon Constant, Ben Young, James Stubbs, Will Roberts, Drew Rudkin, Isaac Thompson, Ed Sumpter, Will Ward, Simon Johnson, Johnny Murdoch, Ethan Godefroy
Replacements: Rhod McNaughton, Shaun Murray, Nick Cairns, Dan Martin, Jed Walsh
Redruth: Will Trewin, Kyle Bradley, Jack Simmons, Richard Kevern, Dean Bonds, Fraser Honey, Jack Oulton, Luke Barnes, Richard Brown, Craig Williams, Luke Hattam, Steele Barker, Ben Fox, Sam Stevens, Bradley Howe
Replacements: Luke Shpylka, MacKenzie Oliver, Chris Fuca, Tommy Phillips, Connor Gilbert