The Lions renewed an old rivalry with Ludlow after a couple of seasons in different divisions and won 22-21 in a frantic, error strewn match to notch their second win of the season, but what a nail-biter it was. The game featured 6 tries but was won by a penalty goal to the Lions and lost by a relatively easy penalty miss in the last second by the Ludlow 12.

The match was barely 7 minutes old when Jess Smith scored an unconverted try after pressure from the forwards and backs. This was matched by Ludlow 5 minutes later with a converted score to lead 7-5 but almost immediately a fine try by Arthur Morgan restored the Lions’ lead.

Back came Ludlow 15 minutes later with a period of sustained pressure and another converted try to leave them 14-12 up at the 30-minute mark. The game thus far had been marked by both strong pressure and a litter-bin full of mistakes. The packs were cancelling each other out in the scrums and lineouts but Stour had the edge in the loose until Pennock had to withdraw through injury.

A fine try coming from a series of moves down the Lions right from half-way saw Mark Harrison go over, the conversion from Murphy leaving the Lions 19-14 ahead with what seemed like a little breathing space at half time.

However, the second half was even more chaotic than the first, especially from the Lions, who gave up control all over the pitch and then gave up a try, Ludlow going in for another converted score to leave them 21-19 in front. e significant pressure it looked like the Lions had blown themselves out, dropped passes, players isolated on the ground and other penalties given away at crucial times.

A missed penalty attempt was followed by an altercation resulting in a yellow card for Brierley which left the Lions with 14 men 10 minutes from time. To their credit the Lions rallied and with a couple of minutes to go a long-range penalty from Elliot Murphy put their noses in front. Frantic attacks came from Ludlow to no avail until, right on the whistle, the referee gave a penalty that left most of the home crowd baffled. Their 12 put the ball down, lined up the kick…and missed! Agony for Ludlow but relief for the Lions.

This was a game where, with more control and maturity, the Lions could have won more comfortably. There was too little stability and 100mph rugby at times when the game should have been slowed down. No matter, we won, but the team has to learn from this.

Jon Dews