Match report 11/3/23

Playing away at Redruth is always going to be a testing time but Lions triumphed in the West Country.

Redruth 7: Tries: Sam Stevens (73); Conversions: Adam Hall (74).
Leicester Lions 33: Tries: Oli Taylor (15), James Stubbs (28), Luke Bouchier (38), Nick Cairns (58, 79); Conversions: Ben Young (16, 29, 39, 59);

In spite of good snow coverage in the Midlands, the conditions in Cornwall meant that the precipitation fell mainly as rain, giving sodden heavy conditions at Redruth. Redruth is a tough call, with the physical format West Country rugby and this being Lions most distant opposition.

The initially stages of the game were well balanced with both sides having opportunities. Lions then started to get on top and control the game with their hooker, Oli Taylor, driving over for a try after 15 minutes, with Young adding the conversion.

Loose play by Redruth allowed Lions’ scrum half, James Stubbs, to nip through the home defence to add the second try, with Young again adding the extras.

Some elegant running by Lions’ centre, Luke Bouchier, led to the third try of the half, with Young again slotting the ball between the sticks.

Half-Time: Redruth 0 Leicester Lions 21

Redruth started to make more of a game of it at the start of the second half, but could not put any points on the board.

At the start of the final quarter Nick Cairns made the game safe for Lions with a typical back row try, followed by the ever reliable conversion kick of Young, making the score 0-28, and taking the bonus point.

In the closing ten minutes Redruth scored a try via their No 8, Sam Stevens, with Adam Hall adding the conversion.

To complete the afternoon, Cairns went over for his second try of the afternoon, taking Lions to a well deserved victory.

Full Time: Redruth 7 Leicester Lions 33

A good win by Lions, especially with such a demanding away fixture, adapting well to the adverse conditions. A splendid victory, followed by the long trek back to Westleigh Park, Blaby.

Lions Head Coach, Gareth Collins, commented: - “Redruth set the bench mark over the last couple of season in terms of where we wanted to be so this game was massive for us. It’s also a really difficult place to go and get a result, especially having been beaten on both our previous visits, so I’m delighted to get the result. Conditions were tricky so to score 5 tries and come away with 5 points was excellent. Credit has to go to an under-strength Redruth side though who were typically physical and made life really hard for us. I was really pleased how we managed the occasion and the game though and I thought it was a really professional performance. We’ll enjoy the well deserved rest week now before one final push in the last block.”

Lions Chair, Ken Whitehead, added:- “We are aware of the reputation of West Country rugby and were expecting a testing game. The lads showed their ability and application and a 5 point victory was justly deserved against our furthest away opponents.”

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

Redruth: Andrewartha, Vinnicombe, Simmons, James, Thomas, Honey, Tanswell, Phillips, Brown, Gendall, Fox, Pascoe, Barnes, Grubb, Stevens
Replacements: Williams, Oliver, Carne, Hall, Wills

Leicester Lions: WilHuckleberryson, Helliwell, Hamilton, Bouchier, Constant, Young, Stubbs, Williams, Taylor, Murray, Tapscott, Ward, Johnson, Murdoch, Sumpter
Replacements: Rudkin, Roberts, Thompson, Cairns, Bean