Sandal 24 Leicester Lions 18

On a beautiful autumnal afternoon, Leicester Lions made the relatively short trip north to face newly promoted Sandal. Both sides had made a great start to the season winning all 3 of their opening games so this weekend's fixture was eagerly anticipated by players and supporters alike.

Not to be disappointed, the game began in an entertaining fashion with Leicester Lions playing down the considerable slope for the opening period. Initial exchanges saw The Lions opt for a pragmatic kicking game pushing Sandal back into their 22 through the boot of Williams and Bishop. In contrasting style, Sandal looked to put the ball through the hands as much as possible but found it difficult to establish and maintain any real territory. On 9 minutes Will Bishop, The Lions fly half, made the field position advantage pay with a sweetly struck penalty (0-3). Sandal came back with some solid carries through the centres and an attractive looking “wrap pattern” but, on 17 minutes, Lions number 8 Joe Collingham pounced on a kicking error to dot down for the first of his brace (0-8).

Into the second quarter The Lions were looking strong and making good use of the gradient, however, Sandal's number 10 Mark Pease did manage to reduce the deficit on 22 minutes (3-8). More pressure from the mighty Lions pack, who were again an incredible force in the scrum, saw Bishop able to strike another penalty on 27 minutes (3-11). Seemingly in control and managing proceedings well, Lions conceded a try from a rare Sandal foray into opposition territory. The pride took a hit when on 35 minutes a line-out rolling maul resulted in James Briscoe going over for the home side.

HT Sandal 8 – Leicester Lions 11

With only 3 points in it at the turn and momentum shifting, Sandal sensed blood and began the second period with a pair of Mark Pease penalties on 42 and 46 minutes (14-11). To make matters worse for the away team, centre Jonathan Williams was sent for a 10 minute rest on 47 minutes for not rolling away at the tackle. This ill-discipline from The Lions in the second period was to prove their undoing as the penalties began to add up, each one costing the away team valuable territory and possession. Two minutes later the home side made the numerical advantage pay with a Mark Pease try and conversion on 49 minutes making the scoreboard suddenly look a lot different (21-11).

In typical Lions style there was no concession of defeat and cometh the hour cometh the man with a brilliant individual effort on 59 minutes from Joe Collingham. Bursting through a non-existent gap and showing a turn of pace the “Toad” would have been proud of, The Lions number 8 raced over from 30 metres with Bishop adding the extras (21-18). The game was now finely balanced and the Leicester side were finding themselves advancing up the hill and pressing for a match winning try. A rare Lions penalty was kicked to within 5 metres out and the comeback looked on. A driving maul ensued and the try looked imminent only for a home penalty to be awarded and duly booted down field 60 metres. The Lions came back again and with some strong carriers from centre Veebel and forward pressure, a sequence of 5 metres “pick and goes” were rewarded with... another home penalty. Rubbing salt into the wound, Pease hit a 50 metre pearler on 73 minutes and that was to be the final score of the game.

A disappointing end after a promising first period, Leicester Lions took only a losing bonus point for their efforts. Well played to Sandal RUFC who must be pinching themselves with their 4/4 start in National League 2 North.

FT Sandal 24 – Leicester Lions 18

Report by Jonathan Williams