Blaydon 13 Leicester Lions 17

League Points 0-4

Blaydon 13: Tries: Jack Appleton (65, 67); Penalties: Joel Matavesi (52)

Leicester Lions 17: Tries: James Wise (31), Penalty Try (63); Conversions: James Morgan (32); Penalties: James Morgan (74)

Leicester Lions had one of their longest away trips with the visit to Blaydon, on Tyneside, close to Gateshead.

There was plenty of open play in the opening stages of the game, with both sides having chances, but Lions’ and Blaydon’s defences played well.

A clearance by Blaydon was picked by the Lions’ backs who ran the ball, with some exciting inter-passing, back into Blaydon territory. This led to debutante James Wise scoring a try to open Lions’ account on 31 minutes, with James Morgan adding the conversion.

Well balanced play continued for the remainder of the first half.

Half Time: Blaydon 0 Leicester Lions 7

Joel Matavesi scored a penalty for Blaydon on 52 minutes to make the score 3-7.

Lions Drew Rudkin was yellow carded on 60 minutes.

In the last quarter the game came to life.

Pressure by Lions led to them scoring a penalty try on 63 minutes to make the score 3-14. This season the penalty try is now worth seven points, with no need for a conversion attempt.

Blaydon’s Jack Davidson was yellow carded on 64 minutes.

Blaydon quickly responded with two unconverted tries by their winger Jack Appleton to bring them back into the game with the score at 13-14.

Careless play by Blaydon led to Lions’ James Morgan kicking a penalty on 74 minutes to make the score 13-17.

Full Time: Blaydon 13 Leicester Lions 17

Leicester Lions’ head coach, Jack Heald, said that he was pleased with the way Lions applied themselves to the game. Blaydon gave us a competitive game, where both teams defended well. We applied ourselves effectively to give us a hard fought away win.

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

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org.

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