FIRST DEFEAT IN FIVE FOR LIONS

FIRST DEFEAT IN FIVE FOR LIONS

Ok, so the bare facts were that the Lions conceded 8 tries to the stand-out team in the league and conceded the same number of points as in the first game at Bridgnorth in losing 54-6 in front of a good crowd at Stourton Park. So we drop to 7th and Bridgnorth will be playing Midlands 1 rugby next season yet there were enough indications, even in this defeat and in other matches this season that, given luck, the inbuilt skill and the investment by players in training over the close season, we should be challenging for the top next term.

There are now 20-25 players, most under 30 and a good few under 25, who have come of age this season and who will carry the club forward for much of the next decade. The link with the Stourbridge 1st XV has restarted promisingly and will ultimately bear fruit. What is needed now is for full turnouts at practice session and there will be a good chance for this squad next season.

As to the game, a side shorn of several key players put up the same heroic struggle at home as away at Bridgnorth. Two penalties from Sam Wilson were poor return for the effort and courage of all 18 players as, in the first half particularly, the Lions carried the game to the opposition. The home backs took second place to an electric Bridgnorth backline but refused to buckle and were still tackling fiercely at the end.

The back row, while again outdone in some phases, were prominent in defence and attack and our man of the match, Scotty Langdon, ran, tackled, took big hits and remained on the pitch far past the time he should have retired for the afternoon with a shoulder injury. The team was captained with energy and enthusiasm by Ben Trinham at scrum-half.

All-in all Bridgnorth showed us all the way forward and it will be an experience that will teach players and team a lot. We now have a week off and then a crucial game away to Camp Hill, a match we can well win, giving us a chance to end the season in the top 5.

JON DEWS