Saturday 7th May 2022

League Points 5-0

Leicester Lions 47: Tries: Oli Taylor (16, 53), Nick Cairns (27), Dan Martin (50, 65), Will Helliwell (74, 77); Conversions: Ben Young (28, 51, 54), Jed Walsh (66, 75, 78);
Guernsey Raiders 14: Tries: James Regnard (19), Joe Andresen (32); Conversions: Owen Thomas (20, 33);

Lions sparkle after the break for seven try victory

Lions were keen to make amends for their 17-5 defeat in Guernsey in the reverse fixture in October 2021.

Lions played down the slope in the first half, but with a cross pitch breeze.

A little indiscipline early on in the game produced a yellow card apiece at the start of the game.

After an opening session of balanced play Lions were first to put points on the board following forward pressure with Oli Taylor driving over for the opening try.

Raiders soon came back with power play with James Regnard going over for a try, converted by Owen Thomas.

Lions pushed Raiders off a scrum close to Raiders line for Nick Cairns to force his way over for a try from the back row, with Ben Young adding the conversion.

Raiders soon retaliated with a smart catch from the restart allowing Joe Andresen to run through the Lions defence for a try, with Thomas adding the extras.

An end-to-end well balanced first half with Raiders just about holding the upper hand.

Half-Time: Leicester Lions 12 Guernsey Raiders 14

Dan Martin, for Lions, opened the try fest in the second half, wriggling through the Raiders defence for a try with Young adding the extras.

This was soon followed by a cruise through by Jed Walsh who slipped the ball elegantly to Taylor who went over for his second try, with Young slotting the conversion between the posts. The score was 26-14 and Lions were starting to take control.

A quick succession of three tries for Lions in the last fifteen minutes settled the match, with Martin shimmying through the Raiders defence, followed by two rapid tries by Will Helliwell, speeding round the Raiders defence on the wing, all three converted by Walsh, put Lions into a commanding lead. This trio of tries put the icing on the cake of Lions performance for the afternoon.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 47 Guernsey Raiders 14

A well balanced and competed first half with Lions going into overdrive after the break. A sparkling second half display.

Seven tries to Lions and two to Raiders.

A most pleasing set of performances in the last few months of the season, with some impressive new young talent joining the first team squad.

Lions finished the season in National League 2 South in fifth position, having a match record: Played 30 Won 21 Drawn 0 Lost 9

Lions Head Coach, Gareth Collins, said: “We certainly weren't at our best in the first half but we got our shape sorted in the second half and scored some great tries. We were desperate to finish the season on a high and keep the unbeaten home run going, so to get the win was very pleasing. To get a bonus point win with so many senior players out as well made it even more impressive. It showed how the players in our squad know their roles when they step up and we can keep continuity. Having won 8 in a row it’s a shame the season has come to an end really! It’s been a great season for us though and this win was a fitting end.”

Lions Chairman, Ken Whitehead, said: “This has been a most pleasing season for us, especially as the season developed. It is excellent how the lads have knitted together to become a formable outfit, under the shrewd guidance of Gareth.”

The level two leagues are being reformed for next season with three regional leagues at level two expected.

Teams 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Leicester Lions: Jed Walsh, Zach Bean, Dan Martin, Ben Young, Will Helliwell, Jack Vernum, James Stubbs, Will Roberts, Oli Taylor, Isaac Thompson, Will Ward, Ben Cornwall, Drew Rudkin, Johnny Murdoch, Nick Cairns
Replacements: Rhod McNaughton, Ethan Shewring, George Taylor-Walker, Simon Johnson, Ben Duke
Guernsey Raiders: Joe Andresen, Taylor Quate, Callum Roberts, Matt Armstrong, Reece De Jersey, Owen Thomas, Dale Rutledge, Darrin Bellingham, Dan Morgan, Tom Bray, Tom Creed, Bradley Webb, James Regnard, James Burger, Liam Welch
Replacements: Callum Murdoch, Layton Batiste, Mitchell Smith, Dan Rice, Gearoid Lee