Luctonians Match Report

After a summer of changes at Leicester Lions, the players were chomping at the bit for their first league game of the season against an always physical Luctonians side. This off-season has seen a host of changes for the Lions, new coach Ben Buxton has overhauled the Lions tactics from seasons past, along with bringing in some new exciting players.

It was a late summer’s day, conditions were hot, humid but very little wind. The freshly cut grass and bumper crowd of 72 created a real atmosphere at the Lions den.

From the kick off the Lions showed their intensity and accuracy with a try after 2 minutes. This was one straight off the training pitch. A lineout inside the Lions half was won and quick ball was given to the speed machines in the backs. Bulky debutant Nathan Donnachie used his snake hips and power to make a clean line break, then managed to offload the ball to another debutant, the infamous Josh Mclauren, who kept the move alive, brushing defenders aside as the Lions carried to ball deep into Luctonians 22. The Lions pack cleared the breakdown efficiently as the ball swept through the backs hands to yet another debutant, the flying winger Devon Constant, who powered over in the corner, under severe pressure, executing a textbook finish. High Fives all round!!! Sadly the very difficult touchline conversion was just pushed to the right of the posts by again, another debutant, centre Jonno Williams.

This move typified the intensity that the Lions would go on to show for the rest of the game, unfortunately, there were some slight errors in precision, and sterling defensive efforts form the visitors that halted the Lions crossing Luctonians try line for the rest of the game. The match then developed into a very bruising physical encounter, mostly played in the Lions half. Luctionians were starting to put real pressure on the Lions defence, however the Lions showed a huge appetite and plenty of gusto to defend aggressively and stop the Luctonians attack. Unfortunately for the Lions another debutant, flanker Greg Mathers sustained a head injury in a fierce tackle and knocked himself out. This forced Lions into re-jigging the pack with illusive 2nd row Tom Cheney coming on and Josh McLauren slotting into his favoured position of flanker. The powerful Lions scrum then turned up a gear and started to exert serious pressure on their much larger opponents. Lions were consistently awarded free kicks from the scrum, the squat front row of Ben Spokes, Olly Taylor and the evergreen Shaun Murray, were picking up from where they had left off last season.

Towards the end of an exhausting first half the Lions were awarded a scrum on Luctonians 22 meter line, of which they drove the sizable Luctonians pack back to the 5 meter line where their scrum collapsed. Lions were awarded a penalty which was just rewards for their efforts. Jonno Williams stepped up and slotted the penalty to make it 8-0 to the Lions at the half time whistle.

The second half carried on in the same vein the first half had finished. Luctonians keeping the ball for large parts of the game and the Lions defence more than capable to match this non-stop offense. Lions scrum dominance continued and the Lions pack were awarded another penalty at the scrum. Again Jonno Williams converted to make it 11-0 to the Lions.

Credit to Luctonians they came back at the Lions with a vengeance, their sustained pressure resulted in a penalty, of which they kicked for the corner. From the resulting lineout they managed a driving maul which proved unstoppable and they managed to score in the corner. Happily for Lions supporters their conversion was also missed.

Luctonians at this time had made a host of changed in their pack, bringing on some fresh legs. They kept exerting real pressure against the Lions defence and the Lions rose to the challenge. Luctonians then had a penalty 5 meters out, where they opted for a scrum. The Lions pack, incensed by this, nullified the Luctonians attempts at a pushover and from the resulting phases of play managed a turnover. The ball was quickly moved down the back line and a counter attack was under way. Some nice interplay by the outside backs and the Lions were just outside Luctonians 22, where the ball became unplayable and the Lions were awarded a scrum. The Lions pack was awarded another penalty from the scrum resulting in another opportunity to extend their lead. Unfortunately the ball hit the crossbar and ricocheted back into play for Luctonians to launch another lung busting counter attack. This lead to Devon Constant being yellow carded for a clumsy, but not intentional bad tackle, however the intensity and physically did sum up the Lions defence.

Late in the game the referee announced it was the last play. Luctonians threw the ball and everything, including the kitchen sink, hob, oven, dishwasher and anything else they could get their hands on at the Lions defence. The Lions held strong and under immense pressure, a handling error from the Luctonians winger called the enthralling tie to a halt, in favour of the Lions. Final score to Leicester Lions 11-5.

In summary, the Lions deserved the victory, their desire, work rate and physicality came to the forefront, but the Lions are under no illusions that hard work in their attack needs to be done. Luctonians were fantastic guests, and the smart post match attire was nice to see in a world of post game polo shirts.

Finally, not all was bad for the visitors. They did win the post-game drink-off by their winger who dropped the ball on the final play. He was awarded their ‘dick-of-the-day’, and saw off a well poured pint of John Smiths in lighting speed, with minimal spillage.

Report by Benjamin Spokes