Leicester Lions 37 Wharfedale 28

League Points: 5-1

Leicester Lions 37: Tries: Alex Wilcockson (2, 38), Devon Constant (35), Tom Aviss (46), Luke Veebel (67); Conversions: Jon Boden (3, 39, 47); Penalties: Jon Boden (12, 57);

Wharfedale 28: Tries: George Hedgley (23), Tom Barrett (28), Dan Stockdale (53), Phil Woodhead (76); Conversions: Tom Barrett (24, 29, 54, 77);

Leicester Lions were looking to a return to winning ways after losing away at Stourbridge last week, but putting up a most creditable performance. It was a pleasant February afternoon, with a little nip in the air, but the pitch had dried significantly from earlier weeks.

Almost from the start Lions launched off with some lovely flowing rugby. A break by Lions was driven forward with open running by Lions No 8 Dan Martin, who drew the Wharfedale defence and smartly passed the ball to fullback Alex Wilcockson, who outran the opposition to score a try, with Jon Boden adding the conversion.

On 12 minutes Boden added a penalty for Lions to make the score 10-0.

Wharfedale retaliated by putting the Lions’ line under pressure with some effective forward play, but Lions’ defence held them out. On 23 minutes Lions succumbed to the pressure with Wharfedale’s No 8 George Hedgley driving over from tight play to score a try, with Tom Barrett adding the conversion.

From the restart Wharfedale continued their pressure with fly-half Barrett slicing through the centre scoring their second try on 28 minutes, adding the conversion himself, to make the score 10-14.

Lions came back with some fast and furious running play, worked the ball across the field from right to left, with winger Devon Constant finishing off the move in his own inimitable no-nonsense style with a try on 35 minutes to re-establish Lions lead at 15-14.

Lions finished the first half with a lovely backs’ move with the ball working its way out to Luke Veebel on the right wing, who drew the Wharfedale defence and deftly slipped the ball magician-like to the speeding Wilcockson, who raced to score under the posts, with Boden adding the conversion.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 22 Wharfedale 14

On 46 minutes Wharfedale’s Ken Houghton was yellow carded for a technical offence.

Lions exerted pressure on the Wharfedale line with some powerful forward play and scrum-half Tom Aviss went over from the back of tight play for a try, converted by Boden, making the score 29-14 and giving Lions the bonus point for scoring four tries.

It looked like Lions might be drawing away, but on 53 minutes Wharfedale came back with their hooker Dan Stockdale driving over from tight play, with Barrett adding the conversion, to make the score 29-21.

On 57 minutes Boden added a penalty for Lions.

With their tails up Lions’ backs moved down the right wing and Veebel sped down the touch line to go over for a try on 67 minutes, opening up their lead to 37-21.

Again Wharfedale came back with some forward pressure exerted on the Lions’ line. Defensive errors by Lions cost them two yellow cards.

On 72 minutes Lions’ Ben Spokes was yellow carded for a technical offence.

On 76 minutes Lions’ Drew Rudkin was yellow carded for a technical offence.

In spite of being two players down Lions defended well, but the pressure told. Wharfedale scrum-half Phil Woodhead went over for a try behind a driving pack, with Barrett adding the conversion, with Wharfedale gaining their bonus point for four tries.

Final Score: Leicester Lions 37 Wharfedale 28

A competitive game where Lions deserved their victory, with Wharfedale producing some effective forward and tight play, contributing to an excellent game. Lions showed some exciting backs and open play moves which produced an entertaining game of rugby. Nine tries in the game, with five to Lions and four to Wharfedale. Leicester Lions are in ninth position in National League 2 North, with Wharfedale in thirteenth position.

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org

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