Leicester Lions 34 Sedgley Park 10

Lions finally showed they have a roar as they played with passion and desire to take 5 points in an entertaining and storm stricken match.
The weather had been predicted to be dry until late afternoon and the game started dry, all be it windy, on a pitch which was in remarkable condition given the flooding in the Leicestershire area.
The Lions came out of the blocks with energy and a hunger to put their marker on the game. Danny Campbell got an early score after just 5 minutes through some solid work from the whole team, darting off the back of a maul which involved the influence and added work rate of the winger, Luke Veebel. Boden added the extras.
Leicester Lions kept the pressure on for the next spell of the game holding out the Sedgley Tigers onslaught only conceding a penalty which was converted by Sedgley Park number 10, Steve Collins. With the home side having much of the possession, good variations in play eventually stretched the Sedgley defence after 33 minutes and Danny Campbell crossed for his second try of the game following some solid off loads. 12-3 to the Lions.
Over the last few weeks, Lions have been guilty of letting their opposition back in the game just before half time and, for a moment, it looked like this may be the case again. Thanks to some great defensive work by the back line and stand out player of the day Jonny Murdoch, the Lions played to their strengths, making the right decisions and went in for half time in a strong 12-3 lead.
After the break the players came out to a darkened sky, spots of rain in the air and potential for a downpour. Non the less the Lions once again started with the same energy and vigour as they did in the first half. After just 2 minutes of play, Jon Boden kicked a successful penalty to stretch the lead and get some early point on the board. This definitely geed the home side up, leading to try number 3 by back rower, Tom Morris following a successful series of phases on the visitors’ line. The Sedgley players heads were beginning to drop with the score at 20 points to 3 and facing an ever dominating Lions side.
What then followed was a bit rare. The Ref, in agreement with the captains, temporarily abandon play on safety grounds, as a thunder and lightning storm closed in and a torrent of hails stones battered players, supporters and the pitch. The storm soon passed and 15 minutes later play resumed on a very wet looking pitch.
Luckily for the Lions whatever was said during the break must have made the players smell blood and blood they were looking for! In what would only be described as a well lubricated mud bath, the Lions set off and meant business. Jonny Murdoch scored the bonus point try following strong running, with Boden converting.
As the game started to get very scrappy with balls going down and players sliding all over the place, pressure built again following numerous phases of play. Tom Morris crossed the line for his second try 15 minutes later putting the game pretty much out of sight. 13 minutes remaining, score 34-3.
The conditions on the pitch were not getting any better with continued rain. All credit to Sedgley Park, who were not lying down, finally broke the Lions defence and Sedgley big running number 8, Matthew Lamprey scored with just 5 minutes to play.
Unfortunately the last 5 minutes were not the prettiest of rugby games and the match petered out leaving Lions happy to celebrate a hard working win. Final Score Leicester Lions 34 Sedgley Park Tigers 10.
The Lions team and coaching staff will be happy with this performance and the desire shown from all 20 players to want the win. The whole squad will look to keep the momentum up and take it into next week when the Lions travel to Chester hoping to improve their slow away record.

Matt Tuckey