Leicester Lions 32: Tries: Devon Constant (8), Aaron Martin (46), Alex Wilcockson (58, 70, 76); Conversions: Harry Key (9), Max Titchener (77); Penalties: Max Titchener (66);

Sedgley Park Tigers 14: Tries: Oliver Glasse (14), Tom Bedlow (36); Conversions: Stephen Collins (15, 37);

It was a damp afternoon for Lions’ game against Tigers. There was light rain throughout the game, producing a greasy ball and pitch, which made the ball difficult to handle and this led to quite a few errors.

Lions started the game with some attacking play, putting Tigers under pressure. After 8 minutes Lions’ backs worked the play up the pitch with some clever interchange moves in the centre, with the ball being deftly slipped to Devon Constant, who ran in to score the opening try, with Harry Key adding the conversion.

Tigers soon came back into the game after 14 minutes, with their forwards putting Lions under pressure. From behind their forward pressure, Tigers’ No 10, Oliver Glasse, sped over to score a try, with Stephen Collins adding the conversion and levelling the score at 7-7.

Towards the end of the first half Tigers’ effective forward play continued, with them again putting the Lions’ line under pressure. On 36 minutes they followed up this pressure with Tigers’ centre, Tom Bedlow, cutting through the middle and going over for a try, with Collins adding the conversion.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 7 Sedgley Park Tigers 14

At the start of the second half Lions came out with a more determined manner. They attacked putting Tigers under pressure and smartly worked the ball out to the wing for Lions’ winger, Aaron Martin, to speed over, adding a try and putting Lions back in contention after 46 minutes, with a 12-14 score.

Lions were starting to show their class and confidence. In unison, forwards and backs worked the ball down the right hand side of the pitch, pushing Tigers back. Then a swift change of direction moved the ball across the pitch to the left. Following a sleight of hand passing interchange in the centre, Lions’ full back, Alex Wilcockson, cleared the Tigers’ defence for a try and put Lions back in the lead at 17-14 after 58 minutes.

On 65 minutes Tigers’ Nathan Rushton was yellow carded for a technical infringement. Max Titchener added the ensuing penalty to open Lions’ lead to 20-14.

On 70 minutes Lions were holding attacking pressure from Tigers inside their own 22 metre line. Smart reactions by Lions’ Wilcockson allowed him to take the ball in open space inside his own 22 and outpace the Tigers’ defence to score his second try and put Lions in a firm lead at 25-14. This gave Lions a bonus point for scoring four tries.

Lions finished the afternoon off with a most dramatic try. Lions’ confidence was building and they kept Tigers under pressure. On 76 minutes, with Lions’ backs working the ball out towards the wing a speeding slicing run and take by Wilcockson cut through the Tigers’ defence for his hat trick try, with Titchener adding the conversion to make the score 32-15.

Final Score: Leicester Lions 32 Sedgley Park Tigers 14

A deserved win by Lions, but a well contested game, with Tigers forwards having the upper hand for the first half, but Lions came back with some dynamic play in the second half. A most pleasing way for Lions to record their first victory of the season.

Lions’ head coach, Andy Key, “It was good to see Lions get their first victory of the season. They had promised much in previous games, but it was excellent to see them convert effective play into a deserved win”.