LIONS TAKE MAXIMUM AGAINST CAMP HILL

LIONS TAKE MAXIMUM AGAINST CAMP HILL
After a week’s rest, a stronger Lions outfit took the field against a Camp Hill side 3 places above them in the League. A cracking sponsors’ lunch was followed by an equally cracking match that was in the balance for 50 mins and warmed the crowd on a cold afternoon.
This was possibly the Lions’ best performance of the season against a side that competed strongly across the pitch, but especially in the forwards. The squad ethic came to the fore here, with the replacements adding key shifts at crucial times in the game. The key for the home side was the last ditch defence that meant, even when tackles were missed, someone else stepped up to put their man down. It was here that the back row were outstanding, with Langdon and O’Sullivan here, there and everywhere and Meakin tackling and winning turnovers with the ferocity of a wounded boar at bay.
The game exploded into life after 2 minutes with a fielded kick just outside the Lions’ 22 being returned with interest through both centres down the right. A couple of rucks in the Camp Hill 22 left a backs move finished off (eventually) by Josh Trinham.
A quick exchange of penalties was followed by another fine try, this time on the right; again several pairs of hands saw Will Follows touch down for a 13-8 lead. The Lions continued to play expansive, quick rugby but in the 20 minutes either side of half time Camp Hill woke up and began to test the home defence through their forwards. The Lions held firm until a series of penalties and driving to the line by the Camp Hill forwards ended with one of them diving over for a converted try. 13-10 to the Lions at the break.
The second half commenced with two blistering attacks by the Lions with centres Wainwright, Dews and openside Langdon prominent but mistakes at crucial times gave the away side some relief. At this point Camp Hill renewed their efforts just as the Lions lost focus. With Adam Bowser in the bin a series of drives from lineouts in the home 22 saw a scrum 5 metres out that led to the award of a slightly harsh penalty try, which left the home side 17-13 down.
It was now, around 15 mins into the second half that the Lions responded in magnificent fashion. Still down to 14 men they launched a storm of attacks deep into Camp Hill territory. Again and again, with the back row and scrum-half Ben Trinham they battered the visitors’ defence and eventually the pressure told, with the backs releasing full back Trinham to score bravely in the left corner. The mark of the try was equalled by the stunning sideline conversion by young Sam Wilson for a 20-17 lead from which the Lions never looked back.
Back to full strength and bolstered by a fresh and eager Joe Loverock coming on in the back row, the home side continued to batter a tiring Camp Hill defence, with Sam Wilson and his centres carving holes in the visitors’ back line. Soon after a deft kick by Ben Trinham led to a home lineout which somehow skipper Doolittle turned into an opportunist try loudly acclaimed by at least one home supporter! The conversion by Wilson made the score 27-17 with around 15 mins to go.
To their credit back came Camp Hill with several pick and drives from their forwards, but the Lions’ tackling and counter-rucking held them at bay. The visitors’ increasing frustration eventually led to their 8 being sin-binned for over-zealous words to the referee. The match was finally wrapped up with a flowing backs move ending with a fine inside pass from Wainwright leaving man of the match Josh Trinham with a 40 metre sprint to the line and his hat-trick. A final conversion gave the Lions a 34-17 lead right on full-time and an unexpected windfall for chairman Hollis!
There was just enough time for the Camp Hill restart to go astray and a red card to their stand-off for another volley of words at the referee. An unfortunate end to a fine contest in which Camp Hill gave a full measure of effort but which the Lions will look back on as a key point in their season and a vindication of head coach Tibbetts’ view of how to play the game.
Next week there is the local derby with Kidderminster, just 2 points behind the Lions. These games are always keenly contested and Kiddie are always powerful at home, but with a full squad and this win under their belt the Stour outfit can travel without fear.

Jon Dews