Leicester Lions 7 Macclesfield 14

League Points: 1-4

Leicester Lions 7: Tries: Will Roberts (18); Conversions: Jon Boden (19);

Macclesfield 14: Tries: Sam Moss (5), Ryan Parkinson (2); Conversions: Tom Morton (6, 27);

Leicester Lions were looking to a return to winning ways after three losses against tough opposition in South Leicester, Hinckley and Tynedale. Macclesfield had an indifferent start to the season, but more recently have been producing some pleasing results.

Early morning rain and lunchtime snow did not bode well for an afternoon of exciting open flowing rugby. By the start of the game the rain had almost stopped with some light drizzle on a cold damp afternoon. As the afternoon progressed the rain completely stopped and there was a slight breeze across the pitch, to neither side’s advantage.

Macclesfield made an excellent start to the game with some powerful driving play, which put the Lions’ line under pressure. Lions defended well, but after 5 minutes Macclesfield’s hooker, Sam Moss, nipped over for a try to open the scoring, with Tom Morton adding the conversion.

Lions soon retaliated working their way up the pitch against the Macclesfield defence. After 18 minutes a run and drive by Lions’ prop, Will Roberts, took him over to open Lions account with a try, converted by Jon Boden, making the score 7-7.

Macclesfield had been doing well in the scrum, but Lions were putting pressure on the Macclesfield lineout.

Macclesfield were exerting pressure on Lions in tight forward play and again put pressure on the Lions’ line. On 26 minutes good back row work allowed Macclesfield’s No 8, Ryan Parkinson, to drive over for a typical back row try, with Morton adding the conversion, making the score 7-14.

Both sides had chances in the remainder of the first half, but both sides defended well to keep the opposition attacks at bay.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 7 Macclesfield 14

The second half tended to follow the pattern of the latter part of the first half, with both sides having opportunities, but the defences managed not to succumb to forward pressure.

Macclesfield’s forward pressure always restricted Lions’ opportunities, but valiant work by Lions kept them in the game.

The two teams tended to neutralise each other and there no further score in the second half, with an old fashioned grind in wet and muddy playing conditions. The second half was a game very much for the rugby purist.

Final Score: Leicester Lions 7 Macclesfield 14

A well balanced game where Macclesfield just about deserved their victory, Lions produced some good defensive work, which kept them in the chase. Leicester Lions are in eighth position in National League 2 North, with Macclesfield in eleventh position, although the middle of the league table is fairly tight.

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org

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