Tough Test for the Lions

Top of the table Stourbridge Lions went into the home game against 3rd placed Walsall in confident mood, after the 50-point win over Stafford. Early indications that this would be a tough match were borne out during a first half where the Lions found themselves under pressure both at scrum and lineout, especially after Ross Bowser was injured early on. A second half resurgence by the Lions saw an eventual 13-13 scoreline, with both sides having chances to have taken the game. 33 lineouts and 26 scrums bore testimony both to the stop start nature of the game and the intensity that both sides brought to the table.

Early penalties, two by Owen Williams, left the Lions 6-3 up after 25 minutes but both sides had chances to go over the line, the Lions living off scraps and the loose while the away outfit dominated in the scrums and at the lineout. The Lions went close a couple of times with drives close to the line and one break that came to naught, but increasing pressure by Walsall led to a try on the half-hour by the away full-back, who cut back against the drift defence for a converted try under the posts. A further penalty just afterwards gave Walsall a 13-6 lead at the half.

The Lions came out for the second half in determined mood and quickly established a measure of superiority through constant pressure and quick movement in both backs and forwards. In the first 15 minutes 2 away forwards were yellow-carded within a minute of each other for infringements at a lineout. However, for the next 10 minutes a combination of combative defence and tentative Lions decision making led to Walsall holding out.

Never mind, the return of the 2 forwards led to renewed efforts by the Lions forwards, particularly in the loose. Several minutes of pressure close to the line finally told and the referee, irritated by constant infringement by Walsall forwards, finally lost patience and awarded a penalty try. The conversion left the sides level at 13-13.

The rest of the game remained highly competitive and entertaining, but neither side could break the deadlock with defences largely coping well. The final score reflected a fair result, with many suspecting that these two clubs will both be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. Generally, a good result for the Lions but Coach Tibbetts will be aware that much needs to be done at scrum and lineout.