League Points 5-0
Leicester Lions 38: Tries: Danny Hartwell (8 min), Devon Constant (41 min, 70 min), Matthew Tuckey (46 min), Dan Martin (52 min), John Murdoch (79 min); Conversions: Jonathan Boden (9 min, 47 min, 53 min, 80 min);
Scunthorpe 13: Tries: Jake Barron (29 min); Conversions: Steve Johnson (29 min); Penalties: Steve Johnson (13 min, 45 min)
Leicester Lions opponents were somewhat of an unknown force having been promoted to National League 2 North for this season
There had been light rain in the morning, but dry conditions for the game, with an easterly breeze across the pitch.
Lions started off as they had finished last week with an early try. A surging run by Devon Constant led to a scrum with Lions’ No 8, Danny Hartwell, going over on 8 mins to score a try, converted by Jonathan Boden. Lions were quickly 7-0 up.
Scunthorpe came back well in the remainder of the first half with some good scrummaging and forward play.
On 13 mins Steve Johnson scored a penalty for Scunthorpe.
Continued forward pressure led to a Scunthorpe try by No 8, Jake Barron, converted by Steve Johnson, on 29 mins, to make the score 7-10.
A powerful display by Scunthorpe in the first half and deserved lead.
Half Time: Leicester Lions 7 Scunthorpe 10
At the start of the second half Lions shot out of the blocks, with a scything run by Jamel Hamilton, who slipped the ball to winger Devon Constant for the try that put Lions back in the lead 12-10.
Scunthorpe regained the lead on 45 mins with a penalty by Steve Johnson to make the score 12-13.
Lions quickly put Scunthorpe’s line under pressure and a charge down of an attempted clearance kick by Scunthorpe led to a try by Lions’ skipper, Matthew Tuckey, converted by Jonathan Boden on 46 mins, with Lions retaking the lead, 19-13.
Lions started to show their class in the last section of the game. Running open play by Lions added three tries, by Dan Martin on 52 mins, Devon Constant on 70 mins and John Murdoch on 79 mins, with Jonathan Boden adding two conversions, making the final score 38-13.
A most successful afternoon for Lions.
Full Time: Leicester Lions 38 Scunthorpe 13
A quintessential game of two halves, with Lions having the upper hand after the break.
Excellent second half play by Lions to score five tries after the break, with good scrummaging and forward play by Scunthorpe until Lions took control.
Leicester Lions’ Director of Rugby, Ken Whitehead, said that Scunthorpe gave us problems to think about in the first half, until we made the best of our opportunities with some open flowing play in the later stages of the game. There have been some pleasing results in recent games, but we are not complacent and there are still plenty of points to work on during training.
Following this week’s games, Leicester Lions are in third position in National League 2 North, one point behind league leaders, Sale FC, with Scunthorpe in thirteenth position.
For further details consult www.ncarugby.org
Mike Howkins, Press Officer and Fourth Official Leicester Lions RFC
mikehowkins@gmail.com