LIONS GO DOWN BRAVELY AT MOSELEY OAK

LIONS GO DOWN BRAVELY AT MOSELEY OAK

After the thrill of a great win against title contenders Old Salts the previous week the Lions came down to earth away against one of the pre-season favourites in Moseley Oak, losing 31-15. The Lions competed well throughout and it was largely down to the size and experience of the home pack that Oak won. However, it was to the great credit of all in Lions’ colours that it was never comfortable for the home side.

The first half ended with 3 home tries, 2 of them from driving mauls and the other from a scrum drive after the Lions 7 Jeavons-Fellows was sin-binned. It was clear what the Lions’ tactics should be from the off – to get the ball wide and try and tire the home pack out, as well as keep them away from the Lions 22. This the Lions managed to do during the first 20 mins, defending well in the home half and keeping pressure on with astute kicks into space from both Sam Robinson, recalled at the last minute when Ben Trinham went down with a thigh problem during the warm-up, and Ben Tibbetts. Indeed the Lions carried the game to a clearly surprised home side and took the lead just before the quarter with a penalty from Sam Wilson.

Gradually though, the experience and sheer weight of the home pack began to tell and, with the Lions giving a couple of soft penalties away around half-way they drove from lineouts and a close in scrum and scored 3 tries before the half, 2 of them converted for 19 points. Back came the Lions and after a home back-rower was sin-binned for a head high tackle on Will Fallows in the act scoring to reduce the deficit, a quick penalty resulted in Duncan Chance going over for an unconverted try on the left. 19-8 at half-time and all to play for.

Oak continued to grind down the away side in the second half, with the same tactics, drive the ball up, clear to the 22 and keep the Lions there. The tiring Lions forwards fought manfully but again the weight and experience told and a further try from a driving maul ensued. The game was being played on the Oak’s terms and, although there were break-outs and open running by the Lions the home side kept exerting pressure
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The game ended with tries both by the home side and the Lions, rousing themselves for a fine try down the right by George Tildesley after a great planned move and break by Robinson and Brookes. The final score of 31-15 was perhaps s a little harsh on the Lions but they will have learned the lesson of giving away easy penalties in midfield against packs of this kind.

The Lions stuck manfully to their task as a team and gave many worrying moments to the home side, particularly in the backs. It’s relevant to point out that both Lions tries were scored out wide by by-passing the home forwards and making them cover wide. When the Lions were successful they threw the ball around and got good support in to the ball-carrier. Overall, though, as coach Tibbetts remarked after the game – play like this and we’ll be in the top 4 or 5 come the season’s end.

JON DEWS