LIONS JUST FAIL AT THE QUARTER-FINAL STAGE

The Lions travelled down to Northampton for their Cup quarter-final against Old Scouts in good heart. A few faces were missing from the last game before Xmas but a strong squad was assembled for the tie.

The first 15 mins proved crucial to the whole game with 2 tries to Scouts, through their 13 and 10, with breaks through the midfield, both converted for a 14-0 lead. At this point the Lions were clearly still on the bus and had yet to compete.

Slowly but surely the Lions began the process of working their way back and, for much of the remainder of the game, were the better side. They withstood the Scouts attacks for most of the rest of the half and, around the 20th min a smart box kick by Ben Trinham spelled panic down the Scouts right and Chance pounced for a fine try. Ten minutes later a series of drives by the Lions and desperate defence by the home side in their own 22 with several attempts to kill the ball ended with Sam Wilson kicking a simple penalty when, with a little good fortune, a further try was beckoning. The half ended with the Lions 6 points down.

In the first 5 mins of the second half another bout of Lions pressure in the home 22 led to another penalty for Wilson to reduce the arrears to 3 points. By now the Lions pack were beginning to dominate, with the front-row in the ascendant and Stu Doolittle and Tom Gallup prominently athletic around the field and in the loose. The remainder of the half was nip and tuck but the Lions looked the more dangerous at times, not least when, with around 5-6 mins to go, a series of infringements by Scouts led to them being kicked back to their own 22. A further infringement gave the Lions the chance of a catch and drive to the Lion where the ball was agonisingly lost before it could be grounded. A further penalty and lineout was, to Scouts’ credit, stolen and the pressure cleared.

A competitive game with both sides having their moments but the Lions came away feeling they could and should have won against a side top of their division. The mark of the Lions’ performance in the second half was the increasingly vocal desperation on the sidelines aimed at both their players and the referee.
Next week it is back to league action with the Lions, in 5th place, facing a difficult trip to 2nd placed Old Salts.

Jon Dews