1st XV
Matches
Sat 01 Apr 2017  ·  National League 2 North
Leicester Lions Rugby Football Club
1st XV
Tries: L Veebel (2), A Sio, S Benjamin, D Constant (2)Conversions: J Boden (5)
40
14
Preston Grasshoppers
Tries: (2)Conversions: (2)
Leicester Lions 40 Preston Grasshoppers 14

Leicester Lions 40 Preston Grasshoppers 14

Matt Tuckey7 Apr 2017 - 20:38
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Leicester Lions sparkle against plucky Preston Grasshoppers

League Points: 5-0

Leicester Lions 40: Tries: Aniseko Sio (4 min), Sam Benjamin (18 min), Luke Veebel (23 min, 64 min), Devon Constant (42 min, 67 min); Conversions: Jon Boden (5 min, 19 min, 43 min, 65 min, 68 min);

Preston Grasshoppers 14: Tries: Ryan Glynn (52 min), Jack Akrigg (77 min); Conversions: Lewis Allen (53 min, 78 min);

Leicester Lions were looking to make amends for a loss at Preston Grasshoppers five weeks ago.

It was a pleasant Spring day, with a breeze across the pitch, slightly to Lions’ advantage in the first half. There had been light rain in the morning, but the game started with dry conditions.

Lions were quickly off their starting blocks, putting the Hoppers under pressure. On 4 minutes Lions prop Aniseko drove over from short distance to score a try, converted by Jon Boden.

On 18 minutes Lions had a lovely cross-field move when they worked the ball out to winger Sam Benjamin, who out-sped the Hoppers’ defence to score in the corner, with Jon Boden adding a touchline conversion.

On 23 minutes, with continued pressure, Lions centre Luke Veebel took a pass and cut through the middle to score their third try, making the score 19-0.

Preston Grasshoppers came back into the game in the second twenty minutes of the first half and tested the Lions’ defence.

On 38 minutes, with Lions’ line under pressure, Lions’ Drew Rudkin was yellow carded for a technical offence.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 19 Preston Grasshoppers 0

Lions started well in the second half well with Luke Veebel breaking through and slipping the ball to winger Devon Constant, moving at pace, who out-ran the Hoppers’ defence to add Lions’ fourth try on 42 minutes, with Jon Boden adding the conversion.

The Hoppers had been making a game of it all the way through the match and got their due deserve when Ryan Glynn broke through to score a try on 52 minutes, with Lewis Allen adding the conversion, making the score 26-7.

Lions soon re-established their lead, with two quick tries by the backs.

Luke Veebel took an interception inside his own 22 metre line, outpacing the Hoppers’ defence to score a try under the posts on 64 minutes, converted by Jon Boden.

This was quickly followed by Lions’ Devon Constant speedily working up the wing for Lions’ sixth try of the game, converted by the ever reliable Jon Boden, making the score 40-7.

Preston Grasshoppers came back into the game in the last ten minutes, with some resolute play, when Jack Akrigg scored a try, with Lewis Allen adding the conversion.

A merited win by Leicester Lions, with some good effort for Preston Grasshoppers, to make a game of it.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 40 Preston Grasshoppers 14

A well deserved win by Leicester Lions, scoring six tries and gaining the bonus point. Preston Grasshoppers stuck valiantly with their game, scoring two creditable tries.

A good performance by Lions’ Luke Veebel, who was playing his first game after a long time off with injury.

Leicester Lions’ Director of Rugby, Ken Whitehead, said that it was a competitive game and we made up for the away defeat at Preston. It was good to see some enterprising play by the backs, who scored five of our six tries.

Following this week’s games, Leicester Lions climbed to third position in National League 2 North, with Caldy as league leaders. Preston Grasshoppers are in sixteenth position in the league.

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org

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

Match details

Match date

Sat 01 Apr 2017

Kickoff

14:00

Competition

National League 2 North

League position

4
Leicester Lions
16
Preston Grasshoppers
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Player Sponsor - Burger King
Player sponsor - RDP Interiors