LIONS OPEN CAMPAIGN WITH BONUS POINT WIN

As with the previous cup game the Lions opened strongly, with hard driving from the forwards and slick interplay from the backs, orchestrated by man of the match Wilson at 10. Towards the end of the first 15 mins some great forward play and follow-up saw a slick passing move put Dews away with a pass to Chance that he never misses in the left corner. Conversion missed and 5-0.
A Wilson penalty shortly after put the Lions further ahead and then came a spirited set of attacks from Ludlow. For the most part of this period the Lions defence was outstanding but eventually, following a great run and offload by the Ludlow 3 they scored in the left corner – 8-5 to the Lions. Another penalty from Wilson soon after, left the score at 11-5 to the home side.
The second half developed following a stolen lineout and tremendous drive to the line by the forwards, with Doolittle carrying on from the last season by touching down on the left. Again the conversion was missed. Almost immediately the home side put an end to the contest with a decisive intervention in midfield by Chance who roared to the line for his second try.
A momentary setback for the Lions came after some spirited attacks by Ludlow when Bowser senior was binned for not releasing. Ludlow missed the penalty and, down to 14 men the Lions came snarling back to score a try with a bit of opportunism by Trinham down the right after a sweeping move from half way.
The bonus point secured the Lions continued to enjoy themselves with a variety of attacks combining backs and forwards. Boffey was held up over the line but the pressure eventually told when Dews took a pass from Wilson and advanced to the line where Chance took the ball and touched down for his hat-trick. Final score 31-5 and a hugely satisfying opening account.
There were a goodly number of fine individual performances, with Wilson playing really well at 10, but the abiding memory was of a fine team performance, with great cohesion and power in the forwards and outstanding defence, running and decision making in the backs. Next week is Moseley Oak and a wholly different proposition – the squad knows that it needs to improve again but there is a feeling that there is a lot more to come. This is a youngish side and there will be setbacks along the way but it is a squad of huge promise.

Jon Dews