What do we say about this match? It was a contest for all of 15 minutes but by the end of that quarter hour the Lions were 12-0 up and soon after 17-0 ahead. Five first half tries, including the best try you could see in this or any other season, were testimony to their dominance. The second half was a mere anti-climax but after the first half anything would have been.

The Lions kicked off at 2.15pm; Shrewsbury dropped the ball 30 metres out in the first contact and Will King streaked away under the posts for a try converted by Sam Vaughan. 7-0 after 30 seconds. After 10 minutes a series of forward drives ended with a backs passing move and Owen Williams entering the line from full-back to score on the right. After that, with the game almost effectively over, despite some gallant ripostes from the away side, Will Fallows scored the third try after some phases and another passing move. 17-0 after 30 minutes.

There was still time before the end of the half for two more tries, the second a delight and the first merely awesome. On 35 minutes the Lions were defending on their own line; winning the ball they kicked to touch just short of their own 22. The lineout stolen they launched a move through the backs, releasing George Tildesley down the right. A sharp exchange of passes and Cass Brooks went over under the posts; an epic of support and sharp movement.

The half had seen some scintillating attacking from the home side but it wasn’t yet over. Right on half-time, from another lineout, yet another passing move saw Tildesley blast around the cover for a try down the right. 29-0, game done and maximum points with 5 tries.
The second half could not match that in intensity and excitement - the Lions dropped a level and Shrews upped their work and effort, determined not to suffer a drubbing. However, there was only one side that looked like scoring and that was the Lions on 15 minutes, with at last a forwards’ try for Tom Partridge after a series of drives in an error-strewn 5 minutes, again converted by Vaughan. The game was sealed a few minutes later with a try by Fred Brooks again after a series of drives and a break to the line. No more scoring and the Lions ran out 41-0 winners.

What was especially pleasing for coach Tibbetts was that the defence were equally as good as the attack throughout, with only a couple of times during the game where the away side got near the home line. The Lions are now 3 points clear of a dangerous Leek at the top and with much more difficult games to come. However, there is a genuine buzz and flexibility in the squad, with people slotting in to different positions with little difference - a very encouraging sign. Next weekend Stafford away; the momentum must continue.

by
JON DEWS