Harrogate 27 Leicester Lions 10

League Points 4-0

Harrogate 27: Tries: Tim Heaton (7 min), Sam Brady (40 min), Danny Matthews (53 min); Conversions: Charlie Morgan (8 min, 40 min, 54 min); Penalties: Charlie Morgan (16 min, 26 min)

Leicester Lions 10: Tries: Ben Spokes (67 min); Conversions: Jon Boden (68 min); Penalties: Jon Boden (14 min)

Leicester Lions must have fancied their chances against Harrogate who had not won a game so far this season.

Powerful Harrogate scrumming was to dominate the game.

After 7 minutes Harrogate No 8, Tim Heaton, went over to score a try, converted by Charlie Morgan.

A Lions’ penalty by Jon Boden opened their account.

Charlie Morgan added two penalties on 16 min and 26 min to stretch Harrogate’s lead to 13-3.

At the end of the first half Harrogate’s second row, Sam Brady, forced his way through to score a try, converted by Charlie Morgan, giving Harrogate a useful 20-3 half time lead.

Half Time: Harrogate 20 Leicester Lions 3

Harrogate continued their scrum pressure in the second half, when scrum half Danny Matthews went over to add their third try, again converted by Charlie Morgan to make the score 27-3.

On 63 minutes Harrogate’s Jon Coser was yellow carded.

Leicester Lions showed some excellent resilience coming back with a driving try on 67 minutes by prop Ben Spokes, converted by Jon Boden, to put some respectability into the score, 27-10.

Lions held out well resisting the forward pressure by Harrogate, stopping Harrogate acquire their fourth try and the bonus point.

In the dying stages of the game Lions showed some meritorious effort putting the Harrogate defence under pressure, but Lions were unable to add to their points tally.

On 80 minutes Harrogate’s Sam Brady was yellow carded.

A most successful afternoon for Harrogate, but a disappointing one for Lions.

Full Time: Harrogate 27 Leicester Lions 10

An excellent forward and scrummaging performance by Harrogate. Historically forward play has been one of Lions strengths.

Leicester Lions’ Director of Rugby, Ken Whitehead, said that Harrogate gave us plenty of problems to think about. This will give a serious focus for training and game preparation.

Following this week’s games, Leicester Lions are in fourth position in National League 2 North, with Harrogate in fifteenth position.

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org

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