League Points: 1-5
Tynedale 28: Tries: Oliver Walker(16, 32), Robert Parker(58); Conversions: Ashley Smith(33), Robert Parker(59); Penalties Ashley Smith(23, 29, 72)
Leicester Lions 32: Tries: Marco Dallavalle(4), Benjamin Marfo(11), Kris McFedries(37), Devon Constant(48), Sam Benjamin(68), Drew Rudkin(75); Conversions: Kris McFedries(69);
Leicester Lions finished the 2016-2017 season with their longest away trip to Tynedale, at Corbridge, close to Hexham in Northumberland. Injuries and unavailabilities meant that Lions started the game with only three replacements.
Lions began the game with forward lineout power and second row Marco Dallavalle going over for a try after 4 minutes to open the scoring. Soon after Lions’ fullback Benjamin Marfo added the second try and Lions had made a spirited start to the game.
Tyndale came back with a try by winger Oliver Walker on 16 minutes.
Tynedale added two penalties by Ashley Smith on 23 minutes and 29 minutes to take the lead at 11-10.
Tynedale’s Oliver Walker quickly added his second try, converted by Ashley Smith.
Lions’ scrum-half Kris McFedries followed up another forward drive to go over just before the break, making the score 18-15.
Half Time: Tynedale 18 Leicester Lions 15
After the break winger Devon Constant put Lions back in front with their fourth try of the game, gaining the bonus point.
On 54 minutes Tynedale’s Ashley Smith was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on.
In spite of being one man down Tynedale added a try by Robert Parker, which he converted, to retake the lead at 25-20.
Lions came back with a try by fly-half Sam Benjamin, converted by Kris McFedries, to put them back in the lead at 25-27.
With time running out Tynedale added a penalty by Ashley Smith for them to retake the lead at 28-27.
Lions were not for giving up without a fight and in the dying minutes of the game Drew Rudkin went over for a try following a forward drive, making the score 28-32.
Full Time: Tynedale 28 Leicester Lions 32
A good away win by Leicester Lions, scoring six tries by six different try scorers, gaining the bonus point. An exciting afternoon’s rugby with a flowing open game, deservedly won by Lions in a six to three try count.
Leicester Lions’ Director of Rugby, Ken Whitehead, said that this was an entertaining and enthusiastic win by Lions, especially considering that some players were not in their usual positions. The versatility shown by some players was most impressive.
Following this week’s games, the last of the season, Leicester Lions are in third position in National League 2 North, with Caldy as league winners. Tynedale finish in sixth position in the league.
For further details consult www.ncarugby.org.
Mike Howkins, Press Officer and Fourth Official Leicester Lions RFC
mikehowkins@gmail.com
Photo by John Austin