Sale FC v Leicester Lions

Sale FC 12: Penalties: Liam McGovern (2 min, 5 min, 38 min, 65min)

Leicester Lions 16: Tries: Joe Collingham (24min), Sam Benjamin (73 min); Penalties: Jon Boden (34 min, 61 min)

Lions were looking forward to their first trip to Sale FC, who had been promoted at the end of last season. Sale FC play on the old Sale Sharks ground in South West Manchester.

The game started with the Sale putting Lions under pressure and Lions conceding two penalties in the first five minutes, which were both scored by Sale fly-half Liam McGovern.

After this initial spurt the game settled down to an evenly contested game, between two well matched sides.

Lions took control after taking one of their own line-outs, driving Sale FC back towards their try line with a rolling maul moving play some 35 metres. Sale were unable to stop this Lions’ surge and Joe Collingham went over to score a try, opening Lions’ points tally. After 24 minutes Lions were right back in the game, with the score at 6-5.

Soon after Sale made a kick through which was superbly picked up by Lions’ full-back Mark Byrom, who sped forward. Sale gave away a penalty from the ensuing play, which was scored by Lions’ fly-half Jon Boden and Lions were in the lead 6-8.

Right at the end of the first half careless play by Lions conceded a penalty, which was scored by Sale’s Liam McGovern.

Half Time: Sale FC 9 Leicester Lions 8

The third quarter was evenly contested with neither side getting the upper hand, nor scoring any points.

Transgressions by both sides gave a penalty apiece scored by Jon Boden for Lions, quickly followed by Liam McGovern for Sale FC.

Fifteen minutes to go and the score was 12-11.

With less than ten minutes to go Lions produced a lovely flowing move down the right wing, when Jack Spittle gave a splendid back of the hand pass to flying winger Sam Benjamin, who outpaced and eluded the Sale FC defence to score Lions second try, making the score 12-16.

The remainder of the game was evenly contested, with both sides playing flowing rugby.

Full Time: Sale FC 12 Leicester Lions 16

An exciting game between two well matched teams and competitive scrummaging. Lions were a little careless in giving away penalties and were punished, but they scored the two tries in a flowing game.

Leicester Lions’ Director of Rugby, Ken Whitehead, said that this was a good win, with Lions keen to play attacking rugby throughout the game. Under the new coaching structure we have bonded well into a cohesive, committed and competitive unit.

Following this week’s games, Leicester Lions are in third position in National League 2 North and Sale FC fourteenth. Macclesfield are in a commanding position at the top of the table.

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org

Mike Howkins, Press Officer and Fourth Official Leicester Lions RFC
mikehowkins@gmail.com