Redruth 20 Leicester Lions 7

Saturday 2nd November 2019

Lions challenge Redruth, but find it tough across the Tamar

League Points 4-0

Redruth 20: Tries: Brad Janes (25), Harry Davey (32), Richard Brown (79); Conversions: Fraser Honey (26); Penalties: Matt Shepherd (73);
Leicester Lions 7: Tries: Nick Cairns (5); Conversions: Ben Young (6);

This was the first ever league visit of Leicester Lions to Cornwall to play Redruth, at The Recreation Ground, Redruth, after Lions’ move to National League 2 South. The wet and windy conditions took their effect on the game.
Lions shot out of the starting blocks, putting Redruth under pressure. After 5 mins Lions took the ball and drove towards the Redruth line, with Nick Cairns taking the ball and driving over the line to open the scoring, with Ben Young adding the conversion to put Lions in the lead, 0-7. Lions continued having the upper hand in the first twenty minutes.
After absorbing Lions’ pressure, Redruth came back with some excellent running open play between their backs leading to Brad Janes going over for a try, with Fraser Honey adding the extras, to draw the score at 7-7.
Redruth were encouraged by this success and soon produced their second try of the game by winger Harry Davey, taking a half-time lead.

Half Time: Redruth 12 Leicester Lions 7

The third quarter was dominated by balanced competitive play between the two teams, with Redruth having a couple of missed penalty attempts. In this period of play both sides had a player yellow carded – Luke Veebel for Lions and Fraser Honey for Redruth.
Lions were looking like they might come back into the game, but on 73 mins Matt Shepherd score a penalty for Redruth, bringing the score to 15-7, meaning that Lions would need to score at least twice to take the game.
On 79 mins Richard Brown was driven over from a lineout for an unconverted try to make the game safe for Redruth at 20-7.

Full Time: Redruth 20 Leicester Lions 7

Competitive rugby by both sides saw a well balanced game. Three tries to Redruth and one try to Lions. Lions made a good start, but found it testing playing up the slope in the second half.
Following the game Lions were in sixth position in the league and Redruth in seventh position.
Lions’ head coach, Gareth Collins, said, “We played well during the game, but the defeat was disappointing having made a good start to the game. We need to work on converting our opportunities into points. Being behind at half-time and playing up the slope in the second half made it difficult for us to come back.”

Teams – Order 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Redruth: Matt Shepherd, Shae Tucker, Jack Simmons, Brad Janes, Harry Davey, Fraser Honey, Jack Oulton, Tommy Philips, Suva Maasi, Jess Topsett, Todd Prisk, Jamie Prisk, Ed Pascoe, Mark Grubb, Bradley Howe
Replacements: Richard Brown, Jack Hodge, Sam Stevens, Ben Fox, Craig Williams

Leicester Lions: Ben Young, Kaz Henderson, Luke Veebel, Jamel Hamilton, Devon Constant, Harry Glynn, Alex Smit, Rhod, McNaughton, George Taylor-Walker, James Whitcombe, Ollie Tapscott, George Martin, Will Ward, Jonny Murdoch, Nick Cairns
Replacements: Drew Rudkin, Charlie Loveday, Simon Johnson, Ethan Godefroy, Sam Eveleigh