Otley 17 Leicester Lions 65

League Points: 0-5

Otley 17: Tries: Tom Hodson (1 min), Tom O’Donnell (37 min), Henry Roberts (42 min); Conversions: Tom Hodson (2 min);

Leicester Lions 65: Tries: Luke Veebel (31 min), Danny Hartwell (38 min), James Grayson (46 min), Drew Rudkin (65 min), Devon Constant (67 min, 80 min), Benjamin Marfo (69 min, 71 min), Marco Dallavalle (78 min); Conversions: James Grayson (32 min, 39 min, 47 min, 66 min, 68 min, 70 min, 72 min); Penalties: James Grayson (14 min, 28 min)

It was a warm spring day at Otley, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, one of the most picturesquely situated grounds in National League 2 North.

Otley shot out of the blocks, scoring their opening try after 1 minute, by fullback Tom Hodson, who also added the conversion.

Lions came back well and James Grayson scored two penalties on 14 minutes and 28 minutes.

On 31 minutes Lions’ Luke Veebel powered through the centre to score under the posts, with James Grayson adding the conversion, making the score 7-13.

Following a forward drive Otley came back with a try by back-row Tom O’Donnell.

From the restart Lions’ No 8, Danny Hartwell, went through for a try, converted by James Grayson.

Half Time: Otley 12 Leicester Lions 20

As with the first half, Otley made a good start after the break with a try by centre Henry Roberts, to keep them in the game.

Lions’ James Grayson was having a good kicking game but just to show his versatility scored a try on 46 minutes, which he converted to make the score 17-27.

On 65 minutes Lions’ play went into overdrive with a spell of free-flowing rugby.

In the last fifteen minutes Lions added six tries and four conversions to take complete control of the game.

For Lions Drew Rudkin scored a try on 65 minutes, quickly followed by Devon Constant on 67 minutes, Benjamin Marfo on 69 minutes and 71 minutes, Marco Dallavalle on 78 minutes and Devon Constant completing the misery for Otley with a try on 80 minutes. James Grayson added four conversions. Thirty eight points in fifteen minutes.

Otley’s Luke Chadwick was yellow carded for a technical offence on 76 minutes.

Full Time: Otley 17 Leicester Lions 65

A well deserved win by Leicester Lions, scoring nine tries and seven conversions, gaining the bonus point. Otley were in the game for the first 60 minutes, but fell victims to Lions’ exciting team play in the last fifteen minutes.

Leicester Lions’ Director of Rugby, Ken Whitehead, said that this was most impressive performance by Lions. Otley stuck with us for the first three-quarters of the game, but our most impressive try scoring play in the last fifteen minutes was a pleasure to watch.

Following this week’s games, Leicester Lions are in third position in National League 2 North, with Caldy as league leaders. Otley are in twelfth position in the league.

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org

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