The Lions went to 6th placed Veseyans on Saturday and came away with another ultimately convincing win against spirited and skilful opponents who fought to the end in an entertaining match. Two tries each by Tildesley and Langdon plus one each from Fallows and Williams gave the away team a 34-17 bonus point win to keep the Lions 4 points ahead with 5 or so games to go.

The first half opened with a series of attacks from the home side which forced the Lions back, culminating in a try after 5 minutes. The Lions re-grouped and Scotty Langdon crashed over after a series of rucks from a lineout and Will Fallows then finished off a sweeping move of slick passing from right to left shortly after for 10-5 to the Lions. Five minutes later came the try of the match with George Tildesley, fielding a clearance from the Veseyans 22 just into the Lions half, sliced through and round 3 tackles and then burned off the cover to the line.

Undeterred, the home side rallied and went into the half with a penalty for 8-15 and then a try of their own almost on half-time to end the half just 2 points down. All to play for in the second half.

The Lions then settled the match and the bonus points with a try by Owen Williams after a minute of play after another move down the right. This was followed shortly after by Tildesley’s second try, again after a backs move, converted by Sam Vaughan for a 27-13 lead. The Lions dominated most of the play thereafter but Veseyans gave as good as they got for the next 15 minutes or so until the game was finished off with the sixth try and Langdon’s second, again converted by Vaughan, leaving the Lions triumphant.

This was a game where the Lions’ fitness and the forwards’ eventual domination gave the backs space and time to take their chances against a strong-running team in which the home No 8 had an outstanding match. Great performances all round with yet another midfield combination in Vaughan and Hopkin but stand-outs were George Tildesley and Scotty Langdon, who ran each other close for man of the match. We are now down to the crucial run-in for the season, when hearts, bodies and minds need to be sharp for the key games ahead.

Thus far the auspices are good.

Jon Dews

Pics by Sian Davies