Match report 1/10/22

Saturday 1st October 2022

League Points 1-4

Leicester Lions 15: Tries: Simon Johnson (33), Aston Gradwick-Light (64); Conversions: Ben Young (65); Penalties: Ben Young (4)
Dings Crusaders 19: Tries: Solomon Taufa (12), Penalty Try (27), Tony Welling (50); Conversions: Harry Ascherl (51);

Dings secure victory in well contested game

A competitive game was expected between two unbeaten teams, Leicester Lions and Dings Crusaders, both with twenty league points and second and third in the league table.

Dings started playing with the stiff breeze and down the slope, but Lions were first on the attack which switched to the right of the pitch, but was forced out of play just short of the try line by some excellent Dings’ tackling. The referee called the play back and Ben Young slotted over a penalty for Lions.

Dings drove back down the pitch putting Lions under pressure with Solomon Taufa crashing over for a try for Dings taking the score to 3-5.

Lions received two yellow cards in quick succession to Ben Young and Will Ward. The second yellow led to a penalty try to Dings, opening the score to 3-12.

In spite of being two players short Lions came back at Dings with Simon Johnson going over for a try closing the gap to 8-12.

Half-Time: Leicester Lions 8 Dings Crusaders 12

Lions had the advantage of the slope in the second half but Dings showed their character with a lovely scything run through the centre by their back row, Tony Welling, for a try, converted by Harry Ascherl and opening the gap to 8-19.

Lions were not for giving up easily when they out-powered Dings at the maul, driving over for Aston Gradwick-Light to score a try, with Young adding the conversion, bringing the score to 15-19, with fifteen minutes left.

In the closing fifteen minutes both sides had opportunities, but neither side was able to add to their score.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 15 Dings Crusaders 19

A keenly contested game between two well matched sides, but Dings getting a deserved victory at the end.

Two tries to Lions and three to Dings, with Dings just about having the upper hand.

Lions Head Coach said: “A tough one to take today as I felt we did more than enough to win the game. Dings are a great side and we knew it would be a big challenge but we prepared well and our approach was effective for most of the game. We knew they’d cause problems if we let them in to our red zone and that’s exactly what happened. Having said that we had more opportunities than them but our lack of accuracy in the final third ultimately cost us the win. We won’t lose perspective though. 21 out of 25 points in the first five games is a great start and far more positives than negatives to come out of this first block of games. We’ll learn from today and be stronger for it in the next block.”

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

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

Dings Crusaders: Arscott, Ormsby, Smith, Brooker, Taufa, Ascherl, Knight, Turner, Hawkesby, English, Bilton, Slade, Welling, Beer, Rovery –
Replacements: Appleton, Richardson, Thompson, Stapleton, Harrison