Saturday 4th January 2020

Leicester Lions 45: Tries: Devon Constant (11), James Whitcombe (14), Jamel Hamilton (23), Ed Sumpter (27), Harry Glynn (32), Kaz Henderson (38), Ollie Tapscott (61); Conversions: Ben Young (12, 15, 24, 28, 33);

Westcliff 10: Tries: Jake Campey (70); Conversions: Greg Bannister (71); Penalties: Greg Bannister (8)

League points 5-0

Leicester Lions show their class with splendid six try first half performance to welcome the New Year.

It was a chilly afternoon, with a breeze across the pitch, for Westcliff’s first visit to Westleigh Park, Blaby. Following a game postponed because of a waterlogged pitch and the Christmas/New Year period Lions were ready and roaring to go for their first game of 2020.

Following a balanced, but scrappy first eight minutes Westcliff opened the scoring with Greg Bannister scoring a penalty following a Lions' high tackle.

Lions put Westcliffe under sustained pressure for the remainder of the first half, with some smart back play and scoring to take their try count to six before the break.

On 11 mins Lions' Devon Constant collected a kick through by Westcliff and followed up his own up-and-under to run through, collecting his own kick, to score Lions' opening try.
Forward pressure by the Lions' pack allowed James Whitcombe to drive over from short range for a try.
Some scything back play by Lions gave Ben Young the opportunity to cut through the centre, deftly slipping the ball to Jamel Hamilton, who went over for a try.
Lions worked their way up the pitch giving a smart pass to Ed Sumpter who sped his way up the left wing for a try.
Alex Smit snatched the ball from Westcliff, working the ball out to Harry Glynn, who outpaced the Westcliff defence to go over for the fifth Lions' try of the afternoon.

Excellent kicking by Ben Young produced conversions for all Lions' first five tries.

Lions completed their first half scoring in the final minute with a well taken try by their winger, Kaz Henderson, who raced past the Westcliff defence, completing Lions’ six try first half.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 40 Westcliff 3

Both sides made changes at half time. Westcliff showed some real commitment in the second half, with some competitive forward play and their backs producing a test for Lions.

Lions added to their points tally half way through the second half. Lions put Westcliff under pressure and on 61 mins their captain, Ollie Tapscott, cut through the Westcliff defence, bounding his way to score Lions' seventh try of the afternoon.

Westcliff showed their commitment by coming back and taking the game to Lions. On 70 mins Westcliff's Jake Campey skipped his way through the Lions' defence to score a try, with Greg Bannister adding the conversion.

In the final play of the game it looked as if Westcliff might have scored their second try of the afternoon, but it was disallowed by the referee for a technical offence.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 45 Westcliff 10

Lions: 7 tries Westcliff: 1 try

Some well balanced forward play throughout the game, with Lions showing some excellent running back play, especially in the first half. Much to their credit Westcliff showed some real application with a comeback after the break.

Following the game Lions were in sixth position in the league, with Westcliff in thirteenth position.

Lions' head Coach, Gareth Collins, said "After the first hesitant ten minutes of the first half we produced some most impressive play in the game, especially before the break. The second half was much more evenly balanced, with Westcliff showing some real application by coming back at us".

Teams – Order 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Leicester Lions: Harry Glynn, Kaz Henderson, Luke Veebel, Jamel Hamilton, Devon Constant, Ben Young, Alex Smit, James Whitcombe, Drew Rudkin, Shaun Murray, Ollie Tapscott, George Martin, Ed Sumpter, Jonny Murdoch, Nick Cairns
Replacements: Will Roberts, George Taylor-Walker, Ethan Godefroy, Simon Johnson, Jack Van Poortvliet
Westcliff: Ben Jones, Myles Bean, Jake Campey, Sebastian Reynolds, Norbertas Radzevicius, Greg Bannister, Jake Spivey, Kostas Dellas, Callum Lynch, Ewan Binneman, James Scoggins, Ian Dartnell, Blaine Webber, Sam Reynolds, James Smith
Replacements: Henry Morrant, William Weston, Chris Marsh, Jack Hopkins, Dan Hughes