1st XV v Sale

Leicester Lions 38: Devon Constant (11 min), John Williams (33 min), Penalty Try (51 min), Marco Dallaville (74 min, 78 min); Conversions: John Williams (12 min, 34 min, 52 min, 75 min, 79 min); Penalties: John Williams (22 min)

Sale FC: Penalties: Liam McGovern (42 min, 44 min);

It was a wet miserable afternoon, with a fresh breeze running across the pitch, for the visit of a youthful Sale FC to Blaby. During the game it steadily rained, with a slight improvement in the conditions towards the end of the match. The ground was wet on top, but held up well during the afternoon.

Lions had the slight advantage of the breeze in the first half, with some initial even exchanges. It did not take Lions long to open their account with winger Devon Constant going over from short range to score the opening try on 11 min, converted by John Williams.

A transgression by Sale led to a penalty scored by John Williams on 22min.

There was even play for much of the remainder of the first half, but Lions were starting to take control and a lovely flowing move in the centre led to a try by John Williams, on 33 min, which he converted.

Sale back-row, Jamie Frost, was yellow carded on 38 min.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 17 Sale FC 0

After the break Sale had the advantage of the breeze and the rain slightly behind them and started to come more into the game. Two quick penalties by Sale’s No 10, Liam McGovern, in the first five minutes after the break reduced the gap and Sale looked like they were on a roll.

The conditions played into the hands of Lions’ more experienced pack, who were starting to take advantage in the scrum and tight play on the wet ground. Lions were camped on Sale’s try line and strong pressure led to Sale conceding a penalty try, again converted by John Williams.

Sale held their own for the middle part of the second half, but in the last ten minutes the pressure really began to tell.
On 74 min Lions’ replacement back-row, Marco Dallaville, forced his way over for a try from short distance following powerful Lions’ tight play, which was converted by John Williams.

Four minutes later, Marco Dallaville collected the ball outside the Sale 22 metre line and produced a rampaging run to score the fifth Lions’ try. A man on a mission, who did not look like he would be prevented for scoring his brace of tries! John Williams added the conversion and the rain had almost stopped.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 38 Sale FC 6

Five tries, five conversions and five points for Lions. A well deserved win for Lions, but Sale stuck with the game until the pressure started to tell in the last ten minutes.

Leicester Lions’ Director of Rugby, Ken Whitehead, said that this was a well competed and spirited game by both sides, played initially in some miserable conditions. Lions came back well after last week’s disappointing result at Chester. Lions sparkling play was a complete antidote to the afternoon’s weather.

Following this week’s games, Leicester Lions are in fifth position in National League 2 North and Sale FC in eleventh position.

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org

Mike Howkins, Press Officer and Fourth Official Leicester Lions RFC