Caldy 22 Leicester Lions 16

League Points: 4-1

Caldy 22: Tries: Josiah Dickinson (14 min), Jack Lavin (58 min, 70 min); Conversions: Jack Lavin (15 min, 59 min); Penalties: Jack Lavin (79 min);

Leicester Lions 16: Tries: Ben Spokes (74 min); Conversions: James Grayson (75 min); Penalties: James Grayson (3 min, 18 min, 44 min)

Leicester Lions travelled to Caldy, on the Wirral, in Cheshire, for an expected tough game against runaway league leaders, Caldy.

It was a bright pleasant Spring day, with a breeze for both teams to contend with.

Lions scored an early penalty, after 3 minutes, by James Grayson.

On 14 minutes Caldy came back with some enterprising play with their No 8, Josiah Dickinson, slipping over in the corner for a try, converted by Jack Lavin.

There was good work by both defences, but Lions James Grayson added a penalty for Lions after 18 minutes.

The excellent defensive play continued and although both sides had opportunities, neither side added to their points count.

On 37 minutes Lions Joe Newton-Taylor was yellow carded.

Half Time: Caldy 7 Leicester Lions 6

Lions started well in the second half with James Grayson adding his third penalty on 44 minutes, allowing Lions to take a narrow two point lead, 7-9.

Caldy started to play with greater confidence and some direct attacks from the backs started a good scoring period for them. A pair of tries by Jack Lavin on 58 minutes and 70 minutes, with Jack Lavin adding a conversion, gave Caldy the upper hand, and a lead of 19-9.

Lions were not going to give up without a fight and their prop Ben Spokes went over for a try on 74 minutes, with James Grayson adding the conversion, to put Lions back in the game at 19-16.

Jack Lavin, for Caldy, steadied the ship after 79 minutes with a penalty to give Caldy a 22-16 lead.

A win for Caldy, but a comeback losing bonus point for Leicester Lions.

Full Time: Caldy 22 Leicester Lions 16

An entertaining competitive game, with a win for Caldy, and a deserved losing bonus point for Leicester Lions.

Leicester Lions’ Director of Rugby, Ken Whitehead, said that it was a good game and we felt that we competed well and gave a good account of ourselves against a skilled league leading team in Caldy. We showed some character is obtaining a losing bonus point against the league leaders.

Following this week’s games, Leicester Lions are in fourth position in National League 2 North, with Caldy as league leaders. Sale FC is in a useful second position, ten points behind, if Caldy start to slip up.

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org

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