Leicester Lions 38 Otley 13

League Points: 5-0

Leicester Lions 38: Tries: Ian Smith (12), Drew Rudkin (17), James Morgan (38, 65), Henry Clement (55, 62); Conversions: James Morgan (13), Jon Boden (18, 39, 56);

Otley 13: Tries: Freddie Watson (32); Conversions: Joe Rowntree (33); Penalties: Joe Rowntree (45, 50)

Lions started well putting Otley under pressure. Lions’ winger Ian Smith cut back inside and scythed through the centre to score the opening try after 12 minutes. James Morgan added the conversion.

The pressure continued with back-row Drew Rudkin taking the ball and driving through the middle to add the second try after 17 minutes, with Jon Boden adding the conversion.

Otley started to come back into the game and put Lions under pressure and their No 8, Freddie Watson, went over from a short distance from the back of a maul. Joe Rowntree added the conversion making the score 14-7 after 33 minutes.

Just before the break Lions’ No 8 Dan Martin burst through the middle to slip the ball to James Morgan who went over to score a try, with Jon Boden adding the conversion.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 21 Otley 7

At the start of the second half Otley came back into the game with Lions conceding penalties. Two penalties scored by Rowntree for Otley kept them in the game at 21-13.

On 55 minutes Lions reimposed themselves on the game when Henry Clement took the ball from a scrum and darted over for Lions’ fourth try of the game, with Boden adding the conversion, making the score 28-13.

Lions continued to exert pressure and Otley were finding it difficult to deal with Lions fast running game.

Lions quickly added a try following a set of cross-field moves with Clement going over in the corner to score his second try.

For Lions Morgan produced some most impressive dummies and side-steps to speed through the centre to score his second try, giving Lions a dominant position at 38-13.

On 69 minutes Joe Rowntree for Otley was yellow carded.

By then Lions had obviously won the game and the last ten minutes produced some evenly matched play.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 38 Otley 13

A competitive game, with Lions showing some class running rugby. Leicester Lions were again ahead on the try count, six tries to one, producing an exciting victory and a bonus point for scoring four or more tries.

Leicester Lions’ head coach, Jack Heald, said that it was a most pleasing result with a good improving team performance. It was excellent to see Lions playing well and consistently throughout the game and producing a deserved winning result.

Following this week’s games, Leicester Lions are in eighth position in National League 2 North, with Otley in eleventh position.

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org

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