Stockport 10 Leicester Lions 47

A loss of the coin toss meant Lions were against the elements in the first half with a strong wind and a steep slope to play against for the first 40 minutes of the game. A slow start from both teams led to neither team being able to break the others defensive line. The first score of the game came in the 27th minute. A penalty in front of the posts after a strong defensive effort from Lions gave the home team a 3 point advantage. After another barrage of expansive play, from a Stockport side who had nothing to lose, the homes side’s no.8 squeezed through the Lions defense and dotted down to extend the lead, with the conversion successful.

The first half finished 10-0.

Lions came out for the second half as a different side and almost instantly through Angus Hopewell and Jonathon Boden's conversion the home side’s lead was cut to 3. The forwards then took control of the game showing ruthlessness in the scrum, strength in the maul and guile in the line-out. With Ollie Taylor latching on to the back of a catch and drive to score Lions' second try of the day. The next player on the score sheet was Steven Cross who, after a bulldozing 50m run from Devon Constant, set the run in under the posts, after a couple of passes from the ruck. Rob Young then nabbed two tries, one from more forward dominance in the scrum picking from 8 and the second from more expansive play from the whole team. Gradually making their way down the pitch, the scrambling Stockport couldn't stop the Lions attack and Young ran in from close to finish the great play to make the score 35-10.

With just over 10minutes left and the 5 points sealed, Lions took any chance to run at the Stockport defence and with great reward. Dave Williams caught a short pass over the whitewash from Luke Veebel who could've scored himself to get the 6th try of the day. The final score came from Ben Brownlie, more great footwork, handling skills and offloads came together to let the hooker finish the game off in style for the travelling Lions.

A special mention to Drew Rudkin for not getting carded in the whole 80 minutes.

Final score, Stockport 10 Leicester Lions 47

Report by David Williams