LIONS’ PRIDE DENTED AT SHREWSBURY

This was a game the Lions could and should have won but failure to keep the ball, trying to play off first phase possession far too often and a common theme so far this season of giving away too many penalties conspired to a loss by 13-7. The losing bonus point was scant consolation.
The first half saw the Lions playing up the slope and, except for a few passages of play, under almost constant pressure. One of the few good points about their performance was the defence, especially out wide, where Shrews were given little opportunity. Although the home side had their opportunities they were ultimately restricted to 2 converted penalties and a 6-0 half-time lead. Although the Lions were reasonably comfortable in defence there was little to show in attack, where a lack of cohesion and a failure to dominate the home pack in the scrums and at the breakdown meant there was precious little go forward.
The start of the second period saw the Lions perk up somewhat and the first 5-10 mins gave their fans some encouragement with pressure in the Shrews 22. Ultimately, however, missed passes, dropped possession and crucial turnovers denied them impetus. Although the Lions continued to tackle well more were being missed and Shrews gradually dominated, being first to the ball and putting severe pressure on the Lions when they were in possession.
On 70 mins Shrews pressure told when a scrum just outside the Lions’ 22 resulted in a series of moves and a concerted drive to the Lion’s line where the Shrews No 8 touched down near the posts. The conversion left the Lions looking at a 13-0 deficit and little time to rectify it.
To their credit the Lions at last woke up and made ground down the centre, with Arron Boffey on the right wing being released on a 30 metre run to the line. He was tackled just short but his own momentum and support from arriving teammates got him over the line. A fine conversion from wide right gave the Lions the losing bonus point but there was nowhere near enough time left to get back into the game.
This was probably the strongest squad put out so far this season and the result was extremely disappointing against fit, strong opponents who put pressure on our defence and attack and were often first to the breakdown. Shrews were allowed to dominate for long periods, with the result that, even with possession, too many moves were strangled at source. Too many penalties were given away and around 15 dropped or forward passes, or losses in contact, occurred in the second half alone.

Next week sees bottom club Stafford at Stourton Park a high attendance at training and a much improved performance on Saturday is required to move the Lions further up the table.

Jon Dews