Birmingham Match Report

A dominant display by the Lions pack laid the foundations as they shrugged off a second half revival to take all five league points.

The Lions, smarting from their home loss to Huddersfield a week prior, wanted to make amends in the only way they know.

The match started with Lions stamping their authority by making some breaks deep into the Bees half through powerful runners, 2nd row Josh McLaurin and centre Steven Cross, leading the offensive charge. Credit to the scrambling defensive effort by the Bees, keeping the Lions scoreless.

At the 10 minute mark, Lions charismatic skipper Matt Tuckey was sent to the sin-bin due to an altercation during a melee after a Bees driving maul had been promptly stopped by the Lions pack. This increased the work rate and togetherness of the Lions and after 12 minutes were rewarded with a try, created from some excellent defensive work. Good line speed led to Josh McLaurin claiming an interception and galloped 74 meters untouched to score. Very impressive feet for a second row!

Just as the Lions had Tuckey return to the pitch and back up to a full contingent, they then had physical flanker Drew Rudkin sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle. This again prompted an even more physical reaction from the Lions, who at this time were physically in control of the Bees in all facets of the game, especially the scrum.

Lions again went on the charge and brave hearted scrum half Danny Campbell made a break from a ruck going deep into the Bees 22. From this, Ex-Bees prop, Ben Spokes picked and drove, carrying many Bees defenders over the line, as he claimed a valuable try against his former club.

Lions kept on the offensive from the restart. Moments later scrum half Campbell went through a gap in the defence to set up experienced full back, Jon Boden who, despite his advanced years, managed to beat the Bees chasing defenders to score. Lions were 21-0 up, fantastic.

Credit to the Bees, despite being physically dominated up front, they did not stop playing and the Bees centre scored a try after 35 minutes. Half time 21-7.

The second half started in the same vein as the first had finished with physical defence and huge dominance in the scrum by the Lions pack. However, the Bees managed a 10 minute revival as they scored a penalty and two tries through winger Rupert Giles. Bees took the lead 22-21.

Lions knew they just needed to get some field position to make the score board change in their favour. After 60 minutes it did. Powerhouse prop Ben Spokes crashed over from at least 3 meters in a near enough carbon copy of his first try. The Rugby Paper’s star man was having a fantastic influence on the game.

With this momentum, Lions did not let off and 5 minutes later were awarded a penalty from another dominant scrum. Boden, faultless with his boot, converted to make the score 31-22. The score line stayed like this as Lions closed out the game and managed to deny the Bees a losing bonus point.

Lions look to back this performance up next week as they entertain Caldy at Westleigh Park. 2.00 pm kick off.