Leicester Lions 36 Wharfedale 12

League Points: 5-0

Leicester Lions 36: Tries: Sam Benjamin (4 min, 60 min), Devon Constant (48 min, 68 min), Marco Dallavalle (53 min); Conversions: Elliot Bale (5 min, 49 min, 61 min, 69 min); Penalties: Elliot Bale (26 min)

Wharfedale 12: Tries: Dan Stockdale (21 min), Joshua Burridge (42 min); Conversions: Thomas Barratt (22 min);

It was an overcast but dry afternoon at Westleigh Park, Blaby, for the visit of Wharfedale, from North Yorkshire. There was a chilly breeze across the pitch, which was to neither side’s advantage. It had been a close win for Leicester Lions at Wharfedale earlier in the season, so a keenly contested game was expected.

The game started with Leicester Lions having the best of the opening play. The ball was worked out to Lions’ winger Sam Benjamin who outpaced the Wharfedale defence to open the scoring with a well taken try on 4 minutes, converted by Elliot Bale, to make the score 7-0.

Lions’ scrum and lineout was working well, but Wharfedale were contributing to a competitive game.

On 20 minutes Lions’ Matt Tuckey was yellow carded for a technical offence.

Wharfedale made good use of the numerical advantage when, following pressure on Lions’ line, their hooker Daniel Stockdale drove over to score a try on 21 minutes, converted by Thomas Barratt, to level the game at 7-7.

Much of the play in the remainder of the first half was fairly even but Lions’ Elliot Bale added a penalty on 26 minutes to make the score 10-7.

On 35 minutes Wharfedale’s Robert Baldwin was yellow carded.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 10 Wharfedale 7

Wharfedale started the second half with a spurt and their No 8 Joshua Burridge went over to score a try on 42 minutes and take the lead, 10-12.

Wharfedale’s Scott Jordan was yellow carded on 46 minutes.

Lions started to react to their half time pep talk when their forward pressure started to tell and winger Devon Constant drove through some desperate Wharfedale tackling to score in the corner on 48 minutes, with Elliot Bale adding a touch line conversion, to put Lions back in the lead at 17-12.

There was more indiscipline by Wharfedale when Joshua Burridge was yellow carded on 51 minutes.

A driving run by Lions’ Marco Dallavalle produced another try for Lions on 53 minutes, making the score 22-12.

The second yellow card to Wharfedale’s Scott Jordan on 59 minutes compounded to a red card.

Lions took advantage with Wharfedale in something of disarray.

Both Lions’ wingers showed the ability with tries. Sam Benjamin again showed pace to outrun the Wharfedale defence for his second try on 60 minutes. Lions’ other winger, Devon Constant, also joined in for his second try on 68 minutes. Elliot Bale added both conversions.

Lions exerted some pressure on Wharfedale but no extra points were scored. Some good defence by Wharfedale held Lions at bay.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 36 Wharfedale 12

A good win for Leicester Lions, but it would have been interesting to see how the game went without the yellow cards acquired by Wharfedale in the second half.

Leicester Lions’ Director of Rugby, Ken Whitehead, said that it was a competitive game for the first 50 minutes. The scrummaging and lineout were greatly improved over last week’s performance at Sale FC. We felt that our class started to show as the second half progressed.

Following this week’s games, Leicester Lions are still in third position in National League 2 North, with Wharfedale thirteenth. Sale FC is in second position, but with a significant 16 points lead over Lions, even though Lions have a game in hand. Caldy look to be in a dominant position at the top of the table.

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org.

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