Sheffield Tigers 26 Leicester Lions 41

League Points 1-5

Sheffield Tigers 26: Tries: James Broadley (29 min, 75 min), Henri Packard (34 min, 72 min); Conversions : Angus Bowyer (35 min), Tom Outram (73 min, 76 min)

Leicester Lions 41: Tries: Danny Hartwell (17 min), Marco Dallavalle (39min), Harry Mahoney (44 min), Sam Lewis (47 min), Jamel Hamilton (64 min); Conversions: Jon Boden (18 min, 40 min, 45 min, 48 min, 65 min); Penalties: Jon Boden (31 min, 37 min)

It was an overcast and mild afternoon, with a breeze blowing down the pitch. A most pleasant afternoon for Lions visit to Sheffield Tigers picturesque ground at Dore Moor, on the outskirts of Sheffield. Tigers pitch was in excellent condition for flowing rugby.

Lions played with the wind in the first half.

The game started with some even play with both sides having opportunities.

On 8 mins Lions’ Kane Nixon was yellow carded.

Lions soon opened their account with running play culminating in a try by their No 8, Danny Hartwell, converted by Jon Boden, making the score 0-7.

Tigers retaliated when their penalty attempt bounced off the post and they ran in a try by winger James Broadley making the score 5-7.

Jon Boden added a penalty for Lions on 31 mins making the score 5-10.

A well taken interception try by Tigers’ Henri Packard, converted by Angus Bowyer, put Tigers in the lead for the first time, at 12-10.

Jon Boden soon added a penalty for Lions to regain the lead.

Following a superb run by Harry Mahoney, Marco Dallavalle took the pass and sprinted over to score for Lions, again converted by Jon Boden.

Half Time: Sheffield Tigers 12 Leicester Lions 20

In spite of playing into the wind Lions had a dominant period of play in the third quarter of the game.

An excellent rolling maul try by Harry Mahoney was quickly followed by a try by Sam Lewis, following a decisive break by Sam Benjamin. Jon Boden added both the conversions making the score 12-34.

Tigers’ Frank Wragg was red carded on 63 mins.

Soon afterwards Jamel Hamilton added Lions’ fifth try, converted by the ever dependable Jon Boden, making the score 12-41.

It looked like Lions might run away with the game, but some resolute play gave Tigers two tries in the last ten minutes of the game, scored by Henri Packard and James Broadley, both converted by Tom Outram, making the score 26-41.

Between the two tries Lions’ John Murdoch was yellow carded on 73 mins.

Excellent play by Lions to score five tries, with a spirited comeback by Tigers to score four tries and get a losing bonus point.

Full Time: Sheffield Tigers 26 Leicester Lions 41

Leicester Lions’ Director of Rugby, Ken Whitehead, said that this had been a keenly contested game where we showed some real character in obtaining the away win. Tigers persevered well at the end to score their four tries.

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

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org

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