Back to an old adversary in the Cup – Earlsdon, who we memorably beat with an Andy Slater try in the Midlands final 3 years ago. This time it was an earlier round and with a scratch team shorn of several regulars and who went on to lose 2 key players in the first half in Fred Brookes and Sam Strangward, both of whom had to be dragged from the field. No matter, this team was greater than the sum of its parts, especially in defence, where an all-out display of ferocity and intelligent shepherding of the many attacks from the home side meant that only one penalty try was conceded in a 10-7 win. Much can be said about the sheer cussedness of the defence with fine performances all round but the stand-out was George Tildesley’s tackle late on to prevent what seemed like an almost certain try. Man of the match? All the players on the pitch at any one time!

The match turned into a war of attrition played in dreadful weather and on a rapidly worsening surface. However, despite almost constant pressure in the first half it was the Lions who struck first just before half time. A break out of defence and rapid handling and support play led to a thrilling try by George Tildesley. Despite losing most of the scrums to a powerful home pack and most lineouts in the first half it was the Lions who looked most incisive with ball in hand.

The second half continued with more pressure from the home attack but with the Lions refusing to buckle. Again incisive back play and decisive kicking down the field left a field position that the forwards exploited to give time for a brilliant cross kick by Owen Williams, looking very comfortable at 10, to reach Will Fallows wide on the left. A great catch in poor weather and a stroll over the line followed to give the Lions a 10-0 lead.

Back came the home side, with much more power now in the pack, despite a couple of sin-binnings. The loss of another forward left the Lions seriously underpowered and eventually the referee awarded a penalty try, converted after 20 mins to leave the Lions precariously balanced at 10-7. The last quarter was all hands to the pump but somehow last-ditch defence won the day and a famous victory – the first away from home this season.

Jon Dews