Leicester Lions 21 Luctonians 22

Saturday 5th May 2018

League Points: 1-5

Leicester Lions 21: Tries: Tainne Finn (2, 9), Simon Johnson (33); Penalties: Jon Boden (22, 39);

Luctonians 22: Tries: Penalty Try (6), Josh Watkins (16), Rob Crowley (61), Charles Meredith (79);

It was a warm early Summer afternoon for Lions' game against Luctonians, who have to win their last two games of the season to avoid relegation. A sizeable number of supporters had travelled from Herefordshire to support Luctonians in their plight.

The game started with early scoring by Lions. Lions drove up the left wing with their winger, Devon Constant, being stopped just short of Luctonians’ line. Lions spun the ball out along the backs and Lions’ winger, Tainne Finn, outpaced the Luctonians’ defence to go over in the corner for a try after 2 minutes.

Luctonians came back quickly, putting the Lions’ line under pressure. Under the pressure Lions transgressed and conceded a penalty try after 6 minutes, making the score 5-7.

Lions soon returned to their scoring form when they again worked the ball out to Finn, who went past the Luctonians’ defence to go over for his second try after 9 minutes, making the score 10-7.

Luctonians returned to the attack, putting more forward pressure on Lions. Following up the pressure the ball was fed out to Luctonians’ full-back, Josh Watkins, who went over for Luctonians second try, making the score 10-12 after 16 minutes.

It was Lions turn to exert pressure on the Luctonians’ line, with Luctonians conceding a penalty, which was scored by Jon Boden, to put Lions back in the lead, 13-12, after 22 minutes.

From open play Lions’ Simon Johnson broke away to sprint to the line to score Lions’ third try on 33 minutes, making the score 18-12.

In the last minutes of the first half Lions’ Jon Boden completed the first half scoring with a penalty to open a points gap, making the score 21-12.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 21 Luctonians 12

The third quarter of the game was evenly balanced with both sides having opportunities, but neither able to add to their points count.

As the half progressed Luctonians started to put the Lions’ line under pressure.

With Luctonians having the upper hand they successfully worked the ball to their winger, Rob Crowley, who went over the line to score their third try on 61 minutes, making the score 21-17.

Pressure continued on the Lions’ line. Lions did break out from defence, but were unable to exert telling substantial pressure on Luctonians.

Lions were defending well and successfully keeping Luctonians at bay.

In the last minutes of the game Luctonians mounted an attack and were again putting Lions under pressure.

On 76 minutes Lions’ Alex Smit was yellow carded for a technical offence.

It looked like Lions might manage to hold out, but with a minute to go Luctonians pressurised the Lions’ line and the ball was fed out to Charles Meredith on the wing, who drove over in the corner for the winning try, giving them a bonus point victory for four tries.

Final Score: Leicester Lions 21 Luctonians 22

A competitive evenly balanced game, with both sides exerting periods of pressure.

Leicester Lions are in twelfth position in National League 2 North, with Luctonians in fifteenth position, but with one more game to play against league champions Sale FC.

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org

Mike Howkins, Press Officer and Fourth Official Leicester Lions RFC