Leicester Lions 24/25 season

The Lions lost the battle of the bottom two sides in National 1 despite a second half comeback that saw them earn two bonus points.The Lions started brightly and Luke Bouchier converted a long range penalty for an early lead. Mowden responded immediately though, with the impressive backrow Joe Craggs re-gathering the restart before fly-half Junior Newton cleverly grubbered through for back row Marcus Tiffen to dot down. Josh Ree added the extras (7-3).The Lions' ill-discipline was costing them and Ben Almond saw yellow for a tip tackle. When a series of penalties then put them in to their own 22 they were made to pay on 20 minutes when DMP's hooker Max Fraine crossed at the back of a powerful driving maul (12-3).DMP's third came in similar fashion just 5 minutes later when prop Alfie Barron crashed over after another strong maul had been held up just short. Ree added the extras (19-3).With the Lions now chasing the game they launched a counter attack from their own line but when a Jack Edwards pass went to deck DMP moved it wide and winger Henry Hadfield finished impressively beating a number of would-be tacklers to conclude an expensive 10 minutes for the Lions. Ree added the extras again for a commanding half time lead. (26-3).The Lions started the second half on the front foot and a superb pass from Luke Bouchier sent Jake Sterland over in the corner on their first attack. This was quickly followed by a Theo Mannion score as he gathered a pinpoint Bouchier crossfield kick and rounded the last defender neatly. Bouchier converted both from the touchline to narrow the gap and bring the Lions right back in to the contest (26-17).The hosts extended their lead with a converted score on 55 minutes when number 8 Yaree Fantini was the latest beneficiary of another strong DMP maul but the Lions hit back again when debutant Ahren Crowley crossed out wide after another Bouchier long pass. (33-22).With just over 10 minutes to go Ree added an important penalty, following a breakdown infringement that saw Simon Johnson yellow carded, to push the hosts out to a 14 point lead. (36-22).The Lions continued to push though and were rewarded with 5 minutes to go when Johnny Murdoch crossed from close range after a period of pressure on the DMP line. Bouchier converted to bring the Lions within 7 points. The Lions then pressed for a score to tie the game but, with the clock in the red, a holding on penalty was jubilantly celebrated by the home side.

Final score DMP 36 Lions 29

Head coach Gareth Collins commented: ''Obviously it's a disappointing result but from the position we were in at half time it definitely feels like 2 points gained rather than 4 or 5 lost. It's frustrating as our attack caused them a lot more issues than theirs did to us, but our errors and ill-discipline really cost us. The character we showed second half was really pleasing though and we have to take that fight in to another massive game next week.''