Leicester Lions 14 Hinckley 10 - Saturday 6th April 2019 - Match Report

Leicester Lions 14 Hinckley 10

Saturday 6th April 2019

League Points: 4-1

Lions squeeze victory against Hinckley in Leicestershire local derby.

Leicester Lions 14: Tries: Ed Sumpter (13), Tom Aviss (59); Conversions: Andy Key (14, 60);

Hinckley 10: Tries: Aaron Phillip (5); Conversions: Joe Wilson (6); Penalties: Joe Wilson (44);

It was a sunny afternoon, with a nip in the air, at TMDP Park, Blaby, for the visit of local rivals, Hinckley. The playing surface was in good condition, with ideal conditions for open running rugby. It had been a closely contested reverse fixture at Hinckley earlier in the season, so both sides were looking for a victory.
Hinckley made an excellent start against Lions, with their winger, Aaron Phillip, rattling the Lions’ defence to go over in the corner after 5 minutes, to score the opening try of the game. Joe Wilson added the conversion for Hinckley to take an early 7-0 lead.
Lions were soon to respond when they took a lineout and second row, Ed Sumpter, powered his way over in the corner for a try, with Harry Key adding the conversion to level the scores.
In the second quarter both sides had opportunities, putting their opposition under pressure, but neither side was able to add to their points count.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 7 Hinckley 7

On 44 minutes Lions transgressed and Wilson put over the penalty for Hinckley to retake the lead at 7-10.
In the second half the well balanced play continued with each side applying pressure.
On 59 minutes Lions put Hinckley’s line under pressure and an evasive run by their scrum-half, Tom Aviss, took him over to score a try in the corner, with Key again adding an impressive conversion from the touch-line, taking the score to 14-10.
On 70 minutes Lions’ Devon Constant was yellow carded for a technical offence.
Hinckley tried to make the best of their numerical advantage, with a powerful run by Hinckley’s Aaron Phillip putting Lions’ line under pressure.
Some impressive defensive play and tackling by Lions kept Hinckley at bay, giving Lions victory in a keenly contested game.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 14 Hinckley 10

Three tries in the game – two to Lions and one to Hinckley. A well contested local derby between two well balanced teams. Excellent defensive play by Lions allowed them to edge the victory.

Lions' head coach, Andy Key, said, "This was obviously a tough game for us, but the players came through with some committed play. It was a good to see how the team applied themselves in keeping control when they were put under pressure by Hinckley towards the end of the game.”

Following the game Leicester Lions were in eleventh position in the league table, with Hinckley in ninth position.

Teams: Order 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Leicester Lions: Alex Wilcockson, Sam Benjamin, Harry Key, Max Titchener, Devon Constant, Harry Glynn, Tom Aviss, Will Roberts, Oli Taylor, Curtis Weaver, Ollie Tapscott, Ed Sumpter, Ethan Godefroy, Jonny Murdoch, Dan Martin
Replacements: George Walker-Taylor, Ben Spokes, Simon Johnson, Laurence Warren-West, Josh Leonard

Hinckley: Joe Wilson, Aaron Phillip, Mitchell Lamb, Tom Wheatcroft, Callum Dacey, Rory Vowles, Dylan Weddle, Steve Harvey, Jack Michael Dickinson, David Peck, Henry Povoas, Ben Marshall, Oliver Povoas, Jamie Skerritt, Gareth Turner
Replacements: Josh Greatrix, Oscar Harper, Michael Parker, Ryan Hough, Scott Hamilton

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