Saturday 22nd February 2020
Lions determination gives them a tight win over Old Albanian
League Points 1-4
Old Albanian 8: Tries: Johnathon Wicks (65); Penalties: Joe Butler (28);
Leicester Lions 10: Tries: Ethan Godefroy (8), Harry Glynn (55);
Lions had their first visit to Old Albanian, at Woollam’s Playing Fields, St Albans, in Hertfordshire. With damp and blustery conditions this was not an afternoon for open flowing rugby.
Lions were first to put points on the board when their No 8, Ethan Godefroy, went over early on for a try.
After 28 minutes OA’s Joe Butler scored a well taken penalty to close the score to 3-5.
Ii spite of both sides having opportunities, there was no further scoring in the first half. Lions showed some powerful tight and loose forward play, taking the game to OA.
Half Time: Old Albanian 3 Leicester Lions 5
The conditions were making both sides liable to make mistakes.
On 55 mins Lions extended their lead when Harry Glynn nipped over for a second Lions’ try, opening out the score 3-10.
On 65 mins OA came back into the game with their full-back Johnathon Wicks going over for a try, closing the score to 8-10.
On 77 mins OA’s Alessandro Ricci was yellow carded for a technical offence.
Again, in spite of opportunities, neither side was able to add to the points on the scoreboard, with Lions running out winners.
Full Time: Old Albanian 8 Leicester Lions 10
This was a fairly well balanced contest, with Lions just about deserving the victory, showing application and commitment. Some powerful play and expert scrummaging gave Lions the upper hand.
Following the game Lions were in sixth place National League 2 South and Old Albanian were in ninth position.
Lions’ head coach, Gareth Collins, said, “This was a fairly well balanced tight game throughout, played in conditions that helped neither side. Lions played with an excellent committed and determined manner and deserved the victory in a close game. It is impressive how Lions’ players could hold their game together to claim the victory in a close game”.
Next week, on Saturday 29th February 2020, Lions are home to Sutton & Epsom RFC, based in Cheam, Surrey, at Westleigh Park, Blaby.
Teams – Order 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Old Albanian: Johnathon Wicks, Sam Jones, Nico Defeo, Joshua Hallett, Alessandro Ricci, Joe Butler, Robert Calder, Thomas Webb, Joshua Taylor, Zaki Chamnaoui, Ashley Illston, Chris Napier, Ethan Benson, Conor Gracey, Oliver Stonham
Replacements: Matthew Ramzanpour, Michael Bond, Harry Samuel, Harry Betts, Roddy Giles
Leicester Lions: Max Johnson, Kaz Henderson, Luke Veebel, Jamel Hamilton, Devon Constant, Harry Glynn, James Stubbs, George Taylor-Walker, Jack Dickinson, Shaun Murray, Ollie Tapscott, Will Ward, Ed Sumpter, Jonny Murdoch, Ethan Godefroy
Replacements: Charlie Loveday, Nick Cairns, Simon Johnson, Ben Young, Alex Smit
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