Saturday 23rd October 2021

Leicester Lions 17 Worthing 7

League Points: 4-0

Leicester Lions 17: Tries: WilHuckleberryson (5), Sterland (62); Conversions: Young (6, 63); Penalties: Young (56);
Worthing 7: Tries: Dowding (39); Conversions: McLean (39).

Gritty performance by Leicester Lions against league leaders Worthing Raiders wins the day in a competitive game.

It was a chilly, overcast, but dry afternoon, with a breeze across the pitch, at Westleigh Park, Blaby, for the game between Leicester Lions and league leaders Worthing Raiders.

Lions chose to play with the slope in the first half. They started by putting Raiders under pressure. From a play close to the Raiders line, Lions worked the ball out to the right for Lions’ fullback Alex WilHuckleberryson to dart over for a try, with Ben Young adding the conversion.

There followed a phase of play where both sides had opportunities, but both defences held their opposition at bay. Raiders had a chance nearing the Lions line, but a forward pass put pay to the attack.

In the final minutes of the first half Raiders put Lions' line under pressure, with Lions second row Will Ward being yellow carded for a technical offence. Raiders took advantage of the extra man with prop Ken Dowding driving over for a try, with Matt McLean adding the extras.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 7 Worthing 7

Again both sides had periods of pressure after the break. An infringement by Raiders allowed Young to kick a penalty, putting Lions back in the lead at 10-7.

On 62 mins Lions kicked through a loose ball with their winger Jake Sterland going into overdrive, outpacing the Raiders' defence to score a deserved try, with Young again adding the extras, giving Lions a 17-7 lead.

In the tense remaining phase of the game both sides had attacking opportunities, but neither side could add to the score sheet, with both defences holding out well.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 17 Worthing Raiders 7

A hard fought game, with a determined performance by Lions winning the day.

Following the game Lions were in seventh position in National League 2 South, with Worthing in second position, on equal points with league leaders Guernsey.

A thrilling afternoon greatly enjoyed by the crowd.

Lions Head Coach, Gareth Collins, said, ‘I asked the players for a response following the disappointment of last week and they certainly did that. The performance was full of energy and intensity which was pleasing to see. We had to work really hard as we knew they were a good side who like to throw the ball around. We wanted to frustrate them and turn the game in to a physical contest that we felt we could win and that’s exactly what the boys did. It was a great result and we’ll enjoy it but it’s important that we back it up over the next few weeks.’

Lions Chairman, Ken Whitehead, said, ‘I am proud and pleased with the way Gareth and the players are working together to produce a formidable unit, giving Lions some excellent solid performances in National League 2 South’.

Next week, on Saturday 30th October 2021, Lions are away at Rochford Hundred, The Rugby Park, Magnolia Road, Rochford SS4 3AD, just north of Southend-on-Sea, with a 3.00 pm kick off.

Teams – Order 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Leicester Lions: Alex WilHuckleberryson, Will Helliwell, Luke Veebel, Joe Brock, Devon Constant, Ben Young, James Stubbs, George Taylor-Walker, Oli Taylor, Isaac Thompson, Ollie Tapscott, Will Ward, Simon Johnson, Jonny Murdoch, Nick Cairns
Replacements: Ajuchi Oghenetejiri, Shaun Murray, Toby Hutchinson, Jack Vernum, Jake Sterland

Worthing: Matt McLean, Rhys Morgan, Jack Forrest, Harrison Sims, Jerome Rudder, Kieran Leeming, Cameron Dobinson, Tom Adams, Henry Birch, Dan Sargent, John Lee, Jack Lake, Will Scholes, Jon Whittall, Kemp Price
Replacements: Ken Dowding, Fraser Bruce, Robert Cuffe, Iago Davies, Charles Spencer