Loughborough Students 28: Tries: Charlie Cadogan (13), Tim Hoyt (23), Tomiwa Agbongbon (31), Henry Hawkins (38); Conversions: Tom Smith (14, 24, 32, 39);
Leicester Lions 34: Tries: George Watkins (8), Will Ward (18), Tom Williams (34), Nick Cairns (41), Alex Wilcockson (43), Oli Taylor (70); Conversions: Ben Young (19, 44)

Lions’ second half comeback wins the day.

Lions travelled to Loughborough Students for their second local derby of the season. After an away win at Hinckley they were hoping to repeat this against Loughborough Students. Lions played into the wind in the first half.

Lions started well when after 8 minutes their winger George Watkins nipped over for a try following smart play by Lions. The Students were quick to come back with a try by winger Charlie Cadogan, with Tom Smith adding the extras to take the lead.

This was soon followed by Lions’ second row Will Ward crashing over for a try, with Ben Young adding the conversion and putting Lions back in the lead.

The Students came back at Lions with some driving play, producing tries by prop Tim Hoyt and back row Tomiwa Agbongbon, with Smith adding the two conversions.

A quick response by Lions was led by prop Tom Williams charging over for a try, closing the gap to 21-17 in favour of the Students.

Just before the interval Students’ centre Henry Hawkins went over for their fourth try of the half, with Smith again adding the extras, taking the Students in for the break with an eleven point lead.

Half Time: Loughborough Students 28 Leicester Lions 17

Lions made a dynamic start to the second half, with the wind at their backs. Within four minutes replacement forward Nick Cairns had driven over for a try, quickly followed by an elegant backs move where full back Alex Wilcockson slipped through the Students’ defence for his try, converted by Young, taking Lions into a close 29-28 lead.

Both sides had opportunities as the second half progressed, but both sides defended well.

With ten minutes to go, Lions’ hooker Oli Taylor took his opportunity well to go over for try and open the points’ gap up to six points.

Both sides put their utmost into attempting to score in the dying minutes of the game, but no more points were added to the scoreboard, leaving Lions winners of an enthralling game.

Lions’ second half performance showed their ability and determination against a testing Students side.

Full Time: Loughborough Students 28 Leicester Lions 34

A well contested game, with Loughborough Students pressurising Lions in the first half, but Lions’ class showing after the break and their determination producing a deserved narrow win.

Lions’ Head Coach, Gareth Collins, commented: “As a Loughborough Alumnus it’s always nice to go back to what is a very special place. We knew it would be a really tough game as Loughborough have quality across the pitch and are a really well organised side. Their kicking game was good first half, and coupled with our ill discipline, we got pinned back a few times. Despite being 11 points down at half time though we felt we were dominant in the areas that we targeted and just needed to manage the game a bit better. We did that second half and the boys stuck to the approach well to get the job done.”

Lions’ Chairman, Ken Whitehead, said: “A tough game against determined opposition. There was a little concern with the eleven point difference at halftime, but we were impressed with the teams’ application and comeback just after the break.”

Teams: 15-9, 1-8, Replacements:-

Loughborough Students: Oscar Daniel, George Barber, Henry Hawkins, Joshua Tusler, Charlie Cadogan, Tom Smith, Jon Mason, Eric Castello Nixon, Sebastian Smith, Tim Hoyt, Finn Carnduff, Jack Shine, Nick Jennings, Joshua Manz, Tomiwa Agbongbon;
Replacements: Calum Smith, Sam Westmacott, Silas Pill, Luca Caplin, James Nayor;

Leicester Lions: Alex Wilcockson, George Watkins, Jamel Hamilton, Dan Martin, Zach Bean, Ben Young, James Stubbs, Tom Williams, Oli Taylor, Isaac Thompson, Ollie Tapscott, Will Ward, Simon Johnson, Johnny Murdoch, Ethan Godefroy; Replacements: Aston Gradwick-Light, Shaun Murray, Nick Cairns, Devon Constant, Luke Bouchier;

Other local National League 2 West results were:-
Hinckley 24 Luctonians 20

Lions lead the table on 51 points, Hinckley fourth on 41 points and Loughborough Students eighth on 32 points.

Next week - Saturday 3rd December 2022 – Leicester Lions v Stourbridge at Westleigh Park, Blaby, 2.00 pm kick off. Also Dings Crusaders v Hinckley, 3.00 pm kick off and Barnstaple v Loughborough Students, 2.00 pm kick off.

For further league details please consult www.ncarugby.com

Mike Howkins, Press Officer and Fourth Official Leicester Lions RFC