Saturday 20th November 2021

League Points 1-4

Barnstaple 14: Tries: Dan Lee (6), Winston James (63); Conversions: Jake Murphy (7, 64);

Leicester Lions 17: Tries: Devon Constant (10); Penalties: Ben Young (16, 40, 51, 65);

In a tight game Lions’ pressure caused Barnstaple to give away penalties and excellent place kicking by Ben Young wins the day for Lions.

This was Lions’ second away trip of the season to the West Country for their first visit to National League 2 South newcomers, Barnstaple RFC, in Devon.

The game started with Lions a little rusty following the journey from Blaby to Devon, with Barnstaple putting them under pressure. From a line out Barnstaple took the ball and drove forward for their No 8, Dan Lee, to drive over for a typical No 8 tight play try. Jake Murphy added the conversion to take Barnstaple into a 7-0 lead.

It did not take Lions long to come back into the game with a dynamic run from their winger Devon Constant, who went over for an unconverted try to bring the score to 7-5.

On 16 mins careless play by Barnstaple conceded a penalty to Lions which Ben Young slotted between the posts for Lions to take the lead at 7-8.

A period of pressure by Lions pushed Barnstaple back onto their try line, but Lions were unable to convert this pressure into points, until in the final minutes of the first half Ben Young scored his second penalty of the afternoon for Lions, to take them into a 7-11 lead going in for the mid-game break.

Half-Time: Barnstaple 7 Leicester Lions 11

The second half continued with balanced play with both sides having opportunities.

Ben Young added a penalty for Lions after 51 mins to stretch Lions lead to 7-14.

On 62 mins Lions’ Simon Johnson was yellow carded for a technical offence. Barnstaple were quick to take advantage from the numerical superiority when they drove forward from a maul, with their wing forward, Winston James, going over for a try, converted by Jake Murphy, drawing the scores level at 14-14.

More or less from the restart Barnstaple conceded yet another penalty which Ben Young kicked to put Lions back in the lead 14-17.

Both sides had opportunities during the remainder of the game, but both defences held strong, with Lions taking a deserved away victory.

Final Score: Barnstaple 14 Leicester Lions 17

A close well contested match, with Lions showing resilience to win the game.

A low try scoring afternoon – three tries in total – two to Barnstaple, one to Lions. Following the game Lions were in seventh position in National League 2 South and Barnstaple were in fifteenth position.

Head coach Gareth Collins said: ‘‘In spite of their relatively low league position Barnstaple did not give us an easy afternoon. Lions played well in a game in which both defences showed their character. I felt we gave of our best and deserved the hard fought win.’’

Lions Chairman, Ken Whitehead said: “It was a long day and journey for us to travel down to the West Country to play Barnstaple. In a tight game we felt that we held our own for a well crafted victory”.

Next week, on Saturday 27th November 2021, Lions have their second consecutive week with an away game. They will be travelling to St Albans to play Old Albanian, The Woollams, 160 Harpenden Road, St Albans AL3 6BB, kick off 3.00 pm.

Teams – Order 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Barnstaple: Luke Berry, Ryan Lee, Jake Murphy, Jon Carter, Dan Johnson, Kyran McManus, Josh Pilkington, George Snell, Nathaniel Bayet, Mitchell Turner, Jake Childs, Ben Hilton, Flynn Elworthy, Winston James, Dan Lee
Replacements: Dominic Robson, Alfie May, Bryn-Lee Jago, Chris Philpot, Connor Swan

Leicester Lions: Alex WilHuckleberryson, Jake Sterland, Jamel Hamilton, Joe Brock, Devon Constant, Ben Young, James Stubbs, George Taylor-Walker, Oli Taylor, Isaac Thompson, Ethan Godefroy, Will Ward, Simon Johnson, Jonny Murdoch, Nick Cairns
Replacements: Shaun Murray, Will Spendlove, Ben Cornwall, Dan Martin, Findlay Ogden