Saturday 28th January 2023

League Points 5-0

Leicester Lions 36: Tries: Simon Johnson (35), Johnny Murdoch (44), Jamel Hamilton (54), Devon Constant (59), Tom Williams (71); Conversions: Ben Young (36, 55, 60, 72); Penalties: Ben Young (65);
Old Redcliffians 14: Tries: Francisco Souto (18), Dominic Sprague (24); Conversions: Ashley Groves (19, 25);

Lions show their class with a second half comeback against determined Old Reds

Leicester Lions welcomed Old Redcliffians to Westleigh Park, Blaby. For the second week in a row Lions faced opposition from a Bristol side. Rising temperatures in the week, following a period of frosts, left the playing surface rather sticky.

The game started with a feisty Old Reds side putting Lions under pressure. After 18 minutes some elegant interchange passing allowed Old Reds to release Souto to run through the Lions defence to open the scoring with a try, converted by Groves. This was followed by further Old Reds pressure with Sprague going over for a try, with Groves adding the extras.

Lions started to regain their composure and with Old Reds receiving two yellow cards towards the end of the first half, Lions made good use of the numerical advantage with Johnson driving over from tight play for a try, with Young adding the conversion.

Half-Time: Leicester Lions 7 Old Redcliffians 14

The half time talking to certainly brought out Lions in a determined mood. They started to exert themselves against a still resolute Old Reds team.

In the third quarter the pressure produced a trio of tries for Lions with Murdoch powering over from short range, Hamilton trickily carving through the middle for a try and a cheeky dink kick over the Old Reds backs giving Constant the opportunity to collect the kick and touch down between the posts, with Young adding two conversions.

Old Reds indiscipline allowed Young to score the ensuing penalty.

Lions finished off the afternoon with Williams forcefully driving through the Old Reds defence for a typical prop’s try, with the extras from Young giving Lions a good looking winning score from the game.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 36 Old Redcliffians 14

A competitive well contested game, with an excellent comeback by Lions, but Old Reds tested them all the way. Lions continued their unbeaten run since the beginning of October 2022.

Lions’ Headcoach, Gareth Collins, commented: “It was always going to be tough to get our energy levels back up to where they were last week so I’m delighted that we got through the challenge with the full 5 points. It was far from a great performance but having been down at half time again we showed good character once again to wrestle control and score points late on. It’s the third game in a row where we have nilled the opposition second half and that is testament to our conditioning and our ability to adapt to what’s happening in games. Old Reds threw everything at us first half and their defensive shape and line speed was excellent. We had to work hard to break them down but I’m very happy with how we did that second half.”

Lions’ Chairman, Ken Whitehead, noted:- “The first 25 minutes were a bit alarming with a gutsy and powerful Old Reds showing their class, but it was most pleasing to see how the lads really came back at them, especially in the second half, for a deserved victory.”

Teams: 15-9, 1-8, Replacements:-

Leicester Lions: WilHuckleberryson, Watkins, Hamilton, Bouchier, Constant, Young, Stubbs, Williams, Wright, Murray, Tapscott, Ward, Johnson, Murdoch, Owen
Replacements: Rudkin, Thompson, Godefroy, Cairns, Martin

Old Redcliffians: Kelly, Halpin, Sprague, Cook, Rees, Groves, Fogerty, Harvey, Gwilliam, Joseph, Pursall M, Pursall C, Souto, Taylor, Thurston
Replacements: Brabham, Curry, Broom, Luxford, Farmer