Match report 16/11/19

Leicester Lions 27 Old Redcliffians 7

Saturday 16th November 2019

Lions withstand early pressure from Old Redcliffians to produce a well crafted victory.

League Points 5-0

Leicester Lions 27: Tries: Nick Cairns (39), Max Johnson (43), Luke Veebel (53), Ollie Tapscott (71); Conversions: Ben Young (54, 72); Penalties: Ben Young (32);
Old Redcliffians 7: Tries: Luke Rapson (3); Conversions: Joe Hall (3);

This was the first ever league visit of Old Redcliffians, from Bristol, to TMDP Park, Blaby to play Leicester Lions, after Lions’ move to National League 2 South. It was a dull afternoon, but it remained dry throughout the match, though the pitch was a little soft in parts.
Lions took the advantage of the slope for the first half, but Old Reds put Lions under pressure right from the start in a typical forward battle on a muddy pitch.
On 3 mins Old Reds moved the ball out to the right and Luke Rapson pierced his way through the Lions' defence to score a try, with Joe Hall adding the conversion.
For the first 25 minutes Old Reds kept the forward pressure on Lions, basing lots of moves on breaks from the back row of the scrum. Excellent defence by Lions kept them at bay and they were unable to add to their points tally.
On 30 mins Lions started to come back into the game and put Old Reds under pressure, with Lions’ Ben Young scoring a penalty when they offended.
Just before half time Lions continued their pressure and their No 8, Nick Cairns, drove through the Old Reds' defence to score a try to take Lions into an 8-7 lead.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 8 Old Redcliffians 7

Lions were geed up by their comeback in the first half and after the break drove up the right hand side of the pitch, switching play and spinning the ball along the line to the left for Max Johnson to go over for a try, taking the score to 13-7.
Lions were starting to gain the upper hand in the game.
On 53 mins Lions worked the ball up the left of the pitch to allow Luke Veebel to dart in for their third try, with Ben Young adding the conversion.
To complete the afternoon forward pressure at a lineout gave Lions' captain, Ollie Tapscott, the opportunity to force his way over for their fourth try, with Ben Young adding the extras, taking the score to 27-7, and a bonus point to Lions.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 27 Old Redcliffians 7

Both sides made this a competitive game, with plenty of tight forward play. Four tries for Lions and one try for Old Redcliffians. Old Redcliffians made a powerful start to the game, but Lions showed some character with their defence and comeback in the second half. A well won win by Lions.

Lions' head coach, Gareth Collins, said 'Old Redcliffians gave us a hard time, especially in the first 25 minutes, but I was proud of the way that Lions came back and took the game to them. As the game progressed, we showed our ability with some well worked tries’.

Following the game Lions are in fourth position in the league and Old Redcliffians in fourteenth position. A good start to the season for Lions, with eight victories from the first eleven fixtures.

Teams – Order 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Leicester Lions: Tom Benjamin, Kaz Henderson, Luke Veebel, Max Johnson, Devon Constant, Ben Young, Alex Smit, James Whitcombe, Drew Rudkin, Shaun Murray, Ollie Tapscott, Will Ward, Ethan Godefroy, Simon Johnson, Nick Cairns
Replacements: George Taylor-Walker, Rhod McNaughton, George Turner, Laurence Warren-West, Sam Eveleigh
Old Redcliffians: Luke Rapson, James Clements, Jermaine Jones, Harry Garforth, Alex Kilbane, Joe Hall, Dominic Sprague, Ellis Joseph, Kieran Ward, Alex Harvey, Chris Pursall, Corey Talbot, Scott Coster, Scott Parsons, Dan Fry
Replacements: Craig McGrath, Angus Green, Josh Rasor, Matt Baker, Ashley Groves