Leicester Lions 17: Tries: Kaz Henderson (11), Harry Glynn (48); Conversions: Harry Glynn (12, 49); Penalties: Ben Young (80)
Dings Crusaders 15: Tries: Luke Arscott (5), Anthony Welling (32); Conversions: Steve Plummer (33); Penalties: Steve Plummer (76);

League Points 4-1

Lions pip Dings at the post for victory in a well contested game.

It was a cold and breezy afternoon for Dings first visit to Lions’ home ground at Westleigh Park, Blaby.

Lions started off with the breeze at their backs, but Dings soon put them under pressure. Dings powerful play took them up the pitch putting Lions on the defensive and Dings' fullback, Luke Arscott, went over for the opening try of the game.

Lions drove back at Dings from the restart pushing play down the left-hand touch line, with them swapping directions, feeding the ball out to the right for Lions' winger, Kaz Henderson, to outpace the Dings' defence to go over for a try, with Harry Glynn adding the conversion, and taking the lead at 7-5.

Lions dropped down to 13 men when Jonny Murdoch and James Stubbs were yellow carded. Dings took good advantage of this situation with their back-row, Anthony Welling, driving over for a try, with Steve Plummer adding the extras to take Dings into a 7-12 half-time lead.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 7 Dings Crusaders 12

On 48 mins Lions produced a smart interchange passing movement up the right wing for Harry Glynn to dart over for a try, adding the conversion to his own try, taking Lions back into the lead at 14-12.

Both sides had opportunities and on 76 mins Lions conceded a penalty scored by Steve Plummer for Dings to retake the lead at 14-15.

Lions were not for giving up easily and put the pressure back on Dings. The pressure led to Dings conceding a penalty, which Ben Young slotted between the posts for Lions, to take Lions back into the lead 17-15, rapidly followed by the referee blowing the whistle for full time.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 17 Dings Crusaders 15

Two tries apiece. A well contested game, with both sides having opportunities and both defending well, plus a nail biting finish giving Lions a just about deserved victory.

Lions head coach, Gareth Collins, said: “This was a tough game for us and the players reacted well against good opposition. Dings had the better of the first half and Lions the better of the second half. We came back well in the second half, putting Dings under pressure that meant they conceded a late penalty, which we scored to win the game.”

Following the game Lions were in sixth position in National League 2 South and Dings Crusaders in eleventh position.

It has been a successful season so far for Lions with 20 games played, producing 14 victories and 6 defeats. Next week, on Saturday 8th February 2020, Lions travel away to play Bury St Edmunds.

Teams – Order 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Leicester Lions: Max Johnson, Kaz Henderson, Luke Veebel, Jamel Hamilton, Devon Constant, Harry Glynn, James Stubbs, Rhod McNaughton, Drew Rudkin, Charlie Loveday, Ollie Tapscott, Ed Sumpter, Simon Johnson, Jonny Murdoch, Ethan Godefroy
Replacements: Will Roberts, Jack Dickinson, Will Ward, Ben Young, Alex Smit

Dings Crusaders: Luke Arscott, Bradley Doggett, Matthew Smith, Marcus Brooker, Thomas Hargan, Steve Plummer, Thomas Knight, Liam Appleton, Thomas Anderson, Joshua Lloyd, Alexander Bilton, Gavin Curry, Anthony Welling, William Bryan, Jake Holcombe
Replacements: Joshua Wood, Nicholas English, Bradley Harwood, Ian Clark, Blake Boyland

For further details consult www.ncarugby.com