Leicester Lions 29 South Leicester 26

League Points: 5-1

Leicester Lions 29: Tries: Benjamin Marfo (7 min), Harry Mahoney (48 min), Kris McFedries (68 min), Sam Benjamin (78 min); Conversions: Jon Boden (8 min, 49 min, 79 min); Penalties: Jon Boden (3 min);

South Leicester 26: Tries: Tom Cheney (39 min), Myles Bean (54 min); Conversions: Rickie Aley (39 min, 55 min); Penalties: Rickie Aley (26 min, 31 min, 37 min, 62 min)

Leicester Lions were facing their second local derby in a fortnight following last week’s win at Hinckley. An especially close game was expected as Lions had sneaked an 18-19 away victory at South Leicester towards the start of the season.

It was a pleasant sunny afternoon, if a little overcast in the last quarter of the game, but all the same excellent playing and watching conditions for a December afternoon.

The game started with Lions speeding out of the blocks and putting South Leicester under pressure and taking control of the game. An indiscretion by South Leicester allowed Lions’ Jon Boden to open the scoring with a penalty after three minutes.

In a flowing move Lions worked the ball out to home debutant winger Benjamin Marfo, where he wriggled and sidestepped his way through the South Leicester defence to score a try, converted by Jon Boden. Only eight minutes gone and Lions were 10-0 in the lead.

An excellent start by Lions but South Leicester soon came back into the game, putting Lions under pressure. Lions defended well, but a combination of South Leicester pressure and Lions indiscipline led to Lions giving away penalties.

Some good place kicking by South Leicester’s Rickie Aley gave two quick fire penalties scored on 26 and 31 minutes, making the score 10-6.

Lions’ Dan Martin was yellow carded on 36 minutes.

Rickie Aley added his third penalty on 37 minutes to make the score 10-9.

South Leicester’s forward pressure had them camped on Lions’ line and South Leicester’s second row, Tom Cheney, crashed over from short distance for a try, converted by Rickie Aley to make the half time score 10-16.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 10 South Leicester 16

At the start of the second half Lions upped their pace and started to wrestle back control. On 48 minutes Lions hooker, Harry Mahoney, powered through for a try, converted by Jon Boden, which established Lions back in the lead 17-16.

Again South Leicester showed their class and were not for giving in easily. Their winger, Myles Bean, went through the Lions’ defence for a try, converted by Rickie Aley, to put them back in the lead 17-23. Rickie Aley soon added his fourth penalty to open a nine point gap over Lions, making the score 17-26.

When it was starting to look as if the game might go South Leicester’s way, some determined play by Lions brought them back into contention.

South Leicester’s Chris Gibbs was yellow carded on 67 minutes. On 68 minutes Lions’ nippy scrum half, Kris McFedries, darted through to score a try and put Lions’ back in the game, with the score at 22-26.

Both sides had opportunities for ten minutes, but neither side added to the score board.

In the last minutes of the game Lions attacked the South Leicester line and with a decisive move moved the ball out to Lions’ elusive winger Sam Benjamin, with space, who went over in the corner and tackled by the South Leicester defence. After consultation between the referee and the assistant referee the try was awarded and converted by Jon Boden, making the score 29-26. This also gave Lions the four try bonus point.

Some comments by South Leicester to the referee led to Lions restarting the game with a penalty. Jon Boden kicked the ball safely out of play to finish the game.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 29 South Leicester 26

This was Lions’ second local derby victory in a fortnight and puts forward their case to be considered as leading local community rugby team in Leicestershire.

Leicester Lions’ Director of Rugby, Ken Whitehead, said that this was a tight game, which ebbed and flowed between the two teams. Lions showed that a game of rugby is never won, lost or drawn until the final whistle. The team stuck well to their game plan and supported each other superbly.

Following this week’s games, Leicester Lions are in fifth position in National League 2 North, with South Leicester in sixth position.

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org

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