Leicester Lions 18: Tries: Alex Wilcockson (17, 63), Laurence Warren-West (79); Penalties: Josh Leonard (20);
Sheffield Tigers 18: Tries: Rob Davidson (33), Lee Monks (49), Henri Packard (61); Penalties: Joseph Duffy (28);

It was a chilly afternoon, with sunny periods, for Lions’ first home game for a month with the fixture against against Tigers. The afternoon promised to be pleasant for playing and watching a game of rugby, with an enthusiastic crowd. The pitch was in excellent condition for running rugby, even with a little dew still left on the grass.
The game started with both sides testing each others’ defences and balanced play.
On 17 minutes Lions put Tigers line under pressure with a move up the wing. From well controlled play they moved the ball swiftly across the pitch for full-back Alex Wilcockson to go over for a try for the opening score of the game.
Lions pressure continued and No 10, Josh Leonard, soon added a penalty for Lions to make the score 8-0.
Tigers started to come back into the game and were putting Lions under pressure. On 28 minutes Lions offended and Tigers No 10, Joseph Duffy, added the penalty to bring the score to 8-3.
On 33 minutes Tigers broke out from a defensive position and had a swift drive down the wing with their winger, Rob Davidson, going over in the corner for a try to level the score at 8-8.
A well contested and even first half.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 8 Sheffield Tigers 8

At the start of the second half Lions had the setting autumn sun behind them and they were playing down the slight slope.
On 47 minutes Lions’ Laurence Warren-West was yellow carded for a technical offence.
On 49 minutes Tigers exerted continuous pressure on the Lions’ line and in driving play, with Lions one player down, Lee Monks went over for a pushover try to take the lead at 8-13.
On 55 minutes Tigers Frank Wragg was yellow carded for a technical office.
Tigers continued in attack mode, putting Lions under pressure. On 61 minutes Tigers’ wing, Henri Packard, scythed his way through the Lions’ defence to score Tigers’ third try, opening up an 8-18 lead.
Lions were quick to reply when they rushed forward from the restart, with Wilcockson scoring his second try of the afternoon, to close the gap to 13-18.
Lions’ pressure continued and Tigers’ Duffy was red carded on 75 minutes for foul play when Lions’ Sam Benjamin made a chip through in an attacking move.
Lions continued their reputation for making comebacks in the final quarter of the game. In the final minutes of the game they put Tigers’ line under pressure, with Warren-West going over in the corner for a try to level the score at 18-18. The conversion attempt from the touch-line came pretty close, but did not pass between the uprights.

An exciting, competitive and entertaining game, with a nail biting finish.

Final Score: Leicester Lions 18 Sheffield Tigers 18

Leicester Lions welcomes Alex Hunt to the club. Alex made his first club appearance in the front row in this game.

Lions’ head coach, Andy Key, said, “A tough encounter was expected between two well balanced teams. In a flowing game the 18-18 draw was a fair result”.
Leicester Lions are in thirteenth position in National League 2 North, with Sheffield Tigers in eleventh position.

Teams – Order 15-9, 1-8, 16-20:-
Leicester Lions: Alex Wilcockson, Sam Benjamin, Jamel Hamilton, Aaron Martin, Devon Constant, Josh Leonard, Tom Aviss, Will Roberts, Ross Herbert, Alex Hunt, Ollie Tapscott, Ed Sumpter, Ethan Godefroy, Jonny Murdoch, Laurence Warren-West
Replacements: Ben Spokes, Demo Gonsalves, Simon Johnson, Henry Clement, Max Titchener

Sheffield Tigers: Greg Mellor, Rob Davidson, James Broadley, Tom Hart, Henri Packard, Joseph Duffy, Ryan Holmes, Will Bennett, Tom Coates, Tony Gelsthorpe, Frank Wragg, Ashley Holland, Will Wallace, Kain Rix, Lewis Bloor
Replacements: Sam Johnson, Jed McDonald, Alan Symcox, Lee Monks, Adam Spinner

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org