Leicester Lions 35 Peterborough Lions 17 - Saturday 1st December 2018 - Match Report

Leicester Lions 35 Peterborough Lions 17

Saturday 1st December 2018

Leicester Lions show their class with a five try – five point victory against Peterborough Lions

League Points: 5-0

Leicester Lions 35: Tries: Ed Sumpter (8), Tom Aviss (22), Penalty Try (25), Devon Constant (38), Ben Spokes (44); Conversions: Harry Key (9, 23, 39, 45);
Peterborough 17: Tries: Danny Harwell (15), Nico Defeo (78); Conversions: Ben Young (16, 79); Penalties: Ben Young (34);

It was a mild grey overcast afternoon, with morning rain, which cleared up for the afternoon, leaving a damp pitch with both sides making handling errors. The grey sky was occasionally broken by the appearance of the low winter sun. A competitive game was expected, with both sides in need of a win as they were both in the relegation zone. Leicester Lions played with the slight slope and breeze in the first half.
The game started with both sides testing each other’s defences and balanced play.
On 8 minutes Leicester Lions put Peterborough Lions’ line under pressure when second-row Ed Sumpter crashed through the centre to score a try, with Harry Key adding the conversion.
On 15 minutes Peterborough Lions soon retaliated with some effective rolling-maul play putting Leicester Lions under pressure leading to a well taken forwards’ try by Danny Hartwell, converted by Ben Young, to level the score at 7-7.
Leicester Lions continued their pressure with Peterborough Lions conceding a penalty. On 22 minutes, quick thinking by Leicester Lions’ scrum-half, Tom Aviss, allowed him to scurry through the Peterborough Lions’ defence to run 40 metres for Leicester Lions’ second try, converted by Key, to give a 14-7 lead.
Leicester Lions were soon back in action with some exciting backs play on 25 minutes. A skilfully placed chip through was smartly followed up by Leicester Lions’ full-back, Alex Wilcockson, who was outpacing the Peterborough Lions’ defence. Wilcockson was desperately forced into touch a couple of metres short of the try line by a high tackle by Peterborough Lions’ winger, Allen Carr, which led to a penalty try for Leicester Lions and a yellow card for foul play for Carr. Leicester Lions had stretched their lead to 21-7.
Leicester Lions offended on 34 minutes, with Peterborough Lions’ Young adding a penalty to close the score gap to 21-10.
To finish off the first half Leicester Lions moved the ball out to the left wing, Devon Constant, who powered his way down the touch line through the Peterborough Lions’ defence to go over for a try, converted by Key. No being tackled into touch for Devon.
Four well taken tries by Leicester Lions in the first half, giving them a bonus point.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 28 Peterborough Lions 10

At the start of the second half Peterborough Lions had the breeze behind them and they were playing down the slight slope. Leicester Lions continued their open attacking play.
On 44 minutes Leicester Lions’ prop, Ben Spokes, drove over for a try, converted by Key, to make the score 35-10.
It looked like Leicester Lions might continue their try scoring spree, but Peterborough Lions forward commitment started to apply pressure on Leicester Lions. Their tight rolling maul play was restricting Leicester Lions opportunities. Peterborough Lions continued their pressure on Leicester Lions, but Leicester Lions defensive tackling was holding them at bay.
The second half continued with Leicester Lions’ defensive play holding the power of Peterborough Lions’ forward thrust.
On 77 minutes Leicester Lions’ Ethan Godefroy was yellow carded for a technical offence.
Peterborough Lions made good use of the numerical advantage with their fly-half, Nico Defeo, powering his way through for their second try, converted by Young.

Final Score: Leicester Lions 35 Peterborough Lions 17

Five tries to Leicester Lions and two tries to Peterborough Lions – all converted.

A competitive game, with Leicester Lions producing some impressive open play and Peterborough Lions coming back well in the second half.

Lions’ head coach, Andy Key, said, “Leicester Lions played well, especially at the start of the game, with some lovely open flowing play. Peterborough Lions stuck well to their game and came back in the second half with some effective and powerful forward play, but our excellent defensive play gave us a well deserved victory”.

Leicester Lions are in thirteenth position in National League 2 North, with Peterborough Lions in sixteenth position. Leicester Lions have moved above local rivals, South Leicester, with South Leicester dropping into the relegation zone.

Teams – Order 15-9, 1-8, 16-20:-
Leicester Lions: Alex Wilcockson, Sam Benjamin, Jamel Hamilton, Harry Key, Devon Constant, Josh Leonard, Tom Aviss, Ben Spokes, Ross Herbert, Curtis Weaver, Ollie Tapscott, Ed Sumpter, Ethan Godefroy, Jonny Murdoch, Dan Martin
Replacements: Will Roberts, Demo Gonsalves, Laurence Warren-West, Henry Clement, Max Titchener
Peterborough Lions: Ben Young, German Luhrs, Shaquille Meyers, Suva Maasi, Alan Carr, Nico Defeo, Tom Dougherty, Josh Waller, Charles Robinson, Joe Lee, Christian Edbrooke, Marius Andrijauskas, Danny Hartwell, Tom Lewis, Conor Gracey
Replacements: Franco Perticaro, Feofaaki Lea, Alex Hales, Dean Elmore, Will Moore

For further details consult www.ncarugby.org