Leicester Lions 35 Chester 14

League Points 5-0

Leicester Lions 35: Tries: Alex Smit (6), Alex Wilcockson (13), Joe Newton-Taylor (31), Nana Asiedu (45), Ollie Tapscott (55); Conversions: Jon Boden (7, 14, 32, 46, 56);

Chester 14: Tries: Richard Craven (61), David Ford (78); Conversions: Liam McGovern (62, 79)

Leicester Lions have been having a revival after a disappointing start to the season. They were looking to follow up on last week’s excellent win at Wharfedale. Morning rain had made the playing surface greasy.

Lions played with the wind at their backs in the first half and exciting team play quickly produced their first try. Lions moved the ball down the right of the pitch where a superb break by No 10 James Morgan allowed him to gracefully slip the ball to scrum-half Alex Smit, who scored their opening try on 6 minutes, converted by Jon Boden.

Again Lions showed their skills in open back play with Devon Constant chipping through and collecting the ball, which was worked to centre Alex Wilcockson, who went over for Lions’ second try on 13 minutes, with Boden adding the touchline conversion.

The game settled into a period of evenly contested play with both Lions and Chester having opportunities, but there was good defensive play by both sides.

Lions mounted an attack putting Chester’s line under pressure. Following a series of moves threatening Chester’s line an excellent crash ball take by Lions’ prop Joe Newton-Taylor took him over the line for Lions third try on 31 minutes, with Boden adding the conversion.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 21 Chester 0

On 45 minutes Lions’ centre Nan Asiedu took the ball in open play, impressively darting and side-stepping his way through the opposition defence, to score Lions’ fourth try, with Boden the conversion.

Following an excellent lineout take Lions’ second-row Ollie Tapscott drove over for their fifth try on 55 minutes, with Boden again adding the conversion.

Twenty minutes to go and Lions’ were 35-0 in the lead.

Both sides had player changes and much to their credit Chester came back into the game with commitment to opening their account.

Chester put Lions’ line under pressure and following some forward drive Chester’s scrum-half Richard Craven slipped away from the Lions’ defence to score a try on 61 minutes, with Liam McGovern adding the conversion.

Chester put more pressure on Lions’ line, but excellent defence by Lions was keeping them at bay.

Chester’s Tom Foden and Lions’ Alex Wilcockson were simultaneously yellow carded on 71 minutes.

Chester continued their pressure and Lions defended well, but on 78 minutes Chester’s No 8 David Ford drove over for their second try, with McGovern adding the conversion.

A well deserved win by Leicester Lions, with some good solid play, with Chester playing well, with commitment, to make a good game of it.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 35 Chester 14

Leicester Lions’ head coach, Jack Heald, said that he was pleased with the way Lions applied themselves to the game. Chester presented problems for us, where good defensive work and some exciting team play allowed us to take the upper hand.

Seven tries during the game, five to Lions and two to Chester, all of which were converted.

Following this week’s games, Leicester Lions are in seventh position in National League 2 North, with Chester in tenth position.

Many congratulations to Lions’ Jon Boden, who scored his 2000th point for Lions during the game.

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org

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