Stourbridge Lions, 2012 Midlands Senior Vase Champions hosted Kesteven from Midlands 3 East (North) Division at Stourton Park last Saturday. Kesteven , second in their league and were unbeaten this season until they faced the Lions. In this quarter final match, Stourbridge Lions completely overwhelmed the Lincolnshire side and beat them 41-0.
Kesteven started the match well and were camped in the Lions 22 for the first 5 minutes. Despite attempts to move the ball around, they were thwarted by mistakes in their own back division. Eventually the Lions started to play and after concerted pressure they were awarded a kickable penalty. Unfortunately, the kick at goal was missed. This was the start of a very poor kicking day for the Lions. After 17 minutes, Captain Stuart Doolittle made the decision to kick for the corner. The accurate lineout throw from Richard Wythes was caught by Sam Strangward and a catch and drive to the line followed. The forwards were aided by four of the backs joining in the drive and Stuart Doolittle scored the first try 5-0.

Following this try, the Lions had most of the play keeping Kesteven pinned down in their own half. After 30 minutes, strong midfield breaks from Aaron Boffey and Harry Wainwright led to a ruck close to the line and Stuart Doolittle pounced to score again. The kick was converted by George Tildesley. The score remained 12-0 until half-time.
At half-time, Matthew Billingham replaced Craig Powis at prop and Simon Crouch came on for Jon Taylor. The first ten minutes of the second half was all pressure from the Lions. After a number of phases the Kesteven flanker deliberately slowed the ball once too often and was yellow carded by the referee. This was a pivotal point in the match.
Danny Cox started to turn on the style with a great run and passed inside to his support Stuart Doolittle for his third try. Further runs from Danny nearly resulted in further tries in quick succession. The Lions were now in full flow. After 62 minutes, the Lions won a lineout on the 22 and produced some great attacking play with Will Ballard scoring under the posts. The conversion was missed, but the score was now 22-0.

From the next passage of play, Rich Pennock, openside flanker ripped the ball at a breakdown and the Lions moved the ball through several pairs of hands for Alex Moy to make the decisive break and finally pop up to Harry Wainwright to score. Geogre Tildesley converted to make the score 29-0.

As the Kesteven players heads dropped the Lions ran in two further tries from Danny Cox and Will Ballard. The final try was converted by James Mitchell. The final score was 41-0.
This was the best performance of the season for the Lions. The coaches will be delighted that no points were conceded and delighted with the offload game that has been a feature of the team’s play this season.

Ian Strangward
Head Coach