Leicester Lions 28 Harrogate 15

League Points: 5-0

Leicester Lions: Tries: Ian Smith (2 min, 30 min), Benjamin Marfo (67 min), Oliver Taylor (80 min); Conversions: Elliot Bale (3 min, 31 min, 68 min, 80 min);

Harrogate: Tries: Keane Naylor (5 min, 48 min); Conversions: Sam Fox (49 min); Penalties: Sam Fox (79 min);

Leicester Lions were looking for a home win against Harrogate after an unexpected defeat at the away fixture earlier in the season.

The game started in a fast and furious manner with Lions dominating the first play of the game. Harrogate had hardly touched the ball when Lions’ full back Ian Smith speedily weaved his way through the Harrogate defence to score the opening try on 2 minutes, converted by home debutant Elliot Bale.

Harrogate wasted no time in retaliating when they took their chance to take control of the play with their centre Keane Naylor bursting through for a try to open their account after 5 minutes, making the score 7-5.

For the remainder of the first half Harrogate were just about having the better of the play, with some good scrummaging and disruptive lineout work on Lions’ throw. As ever Lions defended well.

In spite of Harrogate’s effective play Lions produced another flowing move for Ian Smith to score his second try of the game on 30 minutes, with Elliot Bale adding the conversion, to make the score 14-5.

Both sides had opportunities in the remainder of the half, but neither was able to add to their points tally.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 14 Harrogate 5

After the break Harrogate’s pressure told with Keane Naylor going through for his second try on 48 minutes, with Sam Fox adding the conversion to make the score 14-12.

During the latter part of the second half the play was evenly contested.

On 67 minutes Lions made an excellent break, getting the ball out to Benjamin Marfo on the wing, who sped outpacing the Harrogate defence to score Lions’ third try, with Elliot Bale adding the conversion.

Lions’ prop Liam Hills was given a yellow card for a technical offence, on 71 minutes.

Harrogate were still competing well and on 79 minutes Sam Fox added a penalty to make the score 21-15. Close enough for a losing bonus point or maybe even a late converted try for victory.

All this was not to be, when in the final seconds of the match Lions’ hooker Oliver Taylor appeared jack-in-the-box like from tight play to out sprint the Harrogate defence scoring Lions’ fourth try of the afternoon, with another Elliot Bale conversion. This gave Leicester Lions the bonus point win.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 28 Harrogate 15

A good game in which both sides competed well, but Lions came through in the end for a well competed and crafted victory.

Leicester Lions’ Director of Rugby, Ken Whitehead, said that it was a tough game against an effective Harrogate team who gave use a testing time. We felt that our little bit of extra class showed in the end to give us a five point win.

Following this week’s games, Leicester Lions climbed to third position in National League 2 North, with Harrogate in twelfth position. Lions have a task to catch second placed Sale FC, but they have a game in hand. Caldy seem to be in a dominant position at the top of the table. Next week Lions have a challenging trip away to Sale FC.

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org

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