Leicester Lions 26 Tynedale 28

League Points: 2-4

Leicester Lions 26: Tries: Devon Constant (4, 42), Joe Newton-Taylor (15), Fraser Strachan (38); Conversions: Jon Boden (16, 39, 43);

Tynedale 28: Tries: Jamie Blamire (33, 51), Ben Wilkinson (78); Conversions: Robert Parker (34, 79); Penalties: Robert Parker (3, 40, 70)

It has been a disappointing start to the 2017-18 season for Leicester Lions with three consecutive defeats, all be it that the last two fixtures against local rivals Hinckley and South Leicester had been close games.

Lions were expecting a tough game against league leaders Tynedale, from Corbridge, in Northumberland. It was a pleasant September afternoon, with a competitive game expected.

Tynedale were first to put points on the board with a penalty by Robert Parker after 3 minutes.

Lions soon settled into their game with tries by winger Devon Constant and prop Joe Newton-Taylor, with Jon Boden adding a conversion, making the score 12-3 after 16 minutes.

Tynedale came back with a try by hooker Jamie Blamire, with Parker adding the conversion, to make the score 12-10 on 34 minutes.

A flurry of scoring just before the break saw Lions’ centre Fraser Strachan score a try on 38 minutes, with Boden adding the conversion.

Parker added a late first half penalty for Tynedale to keep them in touch.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 19 Tynedale 13

Lions started the second half well with Constant scoring his second try and Boden adding the conversion, giving Lions a 26-13 lead.

William Miller, for Tynedale, was yellow carded on 47 minutes.

Tynedale soon retaliated with a second try by Blamire, closing the score to 26-18.

Lions looked like they were holding this lead, but in the last ten minutes Tynedale made a comeback.

On 69 minutes Lions’ Alex Knight was yellow carded.

Parker added a penalty for Tynedale with ten minutes to go, making the score 26-21.

On 71 minutes Lions’ Charley Robinson was yellow carded.

With two minutes to go Tynedale’s prop Ben Wilkinson drove over to score a try, with Parker adding the conversion, making the score 26-28.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 26 Tynedale 28

A well contested game, but a most disappointing last two minutes for Lions who had held the lead for most of the game. Leicester Lions were again ahead on the try count, four tries to three, but ended up losing the game.

Leicester Lions’ head coach, Jack Heald, said that it was a disappointing result when we competed so well throughout the game against the league leaders. We need to concentrate on closing off the game when we are in a winning position.

Devon Constant is leading try scorer in National League 2 North.

Following this week’s games, Leicester Lions are in fourteenth position in National League 2 North, with Tynedale in a challenging second position.

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org

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