Leicester Lions 18 South Leicester 31

League Points: 0-4

Leicester Lions 18: Tries: Devon Constant (7, 63), Liam Hills (29); Penalties: Jon Boden (39);

South Leicester 31: Tries: Adam Shaw (2), Daniel Ireland (21), Joe Collingham (53); Conversions: Rickie Aley (3, 53); Penalties: Rickie Aley (38, 65, 75, 77)

After last week’s defeat at Sale Leicester Lions were looking for a comeback result against local rivals South Leicester. Both sides were keen to be seen as the top League 2 North team in Leicestershire.

South Leicester got off to an excellent start with a try by scrum-half Adam Shaw from the opening play, with Rickie Aley adding the conversion.

It did not take Lions long to get back in the game with winger Devon Constant going over for a try on 7 minutes for a 5-7 score.

South Leicester extended their lead with a try by their No 8 Daniel Ireland.

Lions hit back with a try by prop Liam Hills to narrow the gap to 10-12.

Late first half penalties for South Leicester and Lions, by Rickie Aley and Jon Boden, left the match well balanced, with a 13-15 half time score.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 13 South Leicester 15

Ex-Lions’ player second-row Joe Collingham added a try for South Leicester after 52 minutes, with Rickie Aley converting.

Lions brought themselves back into the match when Devon Constant drove over for his second try making the score 18-22 with fifteen minutes to go.

Joe Collingham for South Leicester and Simon Johnson for Lions were both yellow carded for technical offences.

South Leicester were not going to give up their lead easily and lack of discipline by Lions gave away penalties. Reliable place kicking by Rickie Aley allowed South Leicester to open the gap with three successful penalty kicks in the last ten minutes to give South an 18-31 winning result.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 18 South Leicester 31

A good win by South Leicester, with an excellent kicking performance by ever reliable Rickie Aley.

Leicester Lions’ head coach, Jack Heald, said that it was a disappointing result but we felt we competed throughout the game with a try count of three apiece. Much to their credit South Leicester played a tight and effective game, with some good kicking, which brought them success.

Following this week’s games, Leicester Lions are in sixteenth position in National League 2 North, with South Leicester in fifth position.

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org

Mike Howkins, Press Officer and Fourth Official Leicester Lions RFC

mikehowkins@gmail.com