There are 2 ways of looking at this much needed away win. It was won on the basis of pressure and tough defence, with the Lions spending large parts of the match in the home 22. However, the margin of victory was very small and the Lions would have come away kicking themselves if they had lost, despite dominating much of the game.

Within the first 20 minutes the Lions were 10 points up, playing into the face of a swirling wind. Jess Smith took advantage of a good drive into the Old Hales 22 and powered his way to the line for a unconverted try, fending off several tackles. 10 minutes later an opportunist break from half-way by scrum-half Freddie Morgan saw him beat 4 or 5 defenders before putting blindside Jack Samuel in down the right. At this point the home side had visited the Lions’ 22 twice.

Old Hales woke up and, despite visiting the Lions’ 22 only twice more in the half, scored 2 tries, one converted, to lead 12-10 at the half, with the Lions seemingly squandering a mostly good 40 minutes.

The 2nd half began with both sides camped around half-way for the first 10 minutes. An Old Hales attack broke down in midfield and the Lions backs, sharp all match, pounced, with George Tildesley booting the ball downfield and winning the chase to touch down on the left for another unconverted try. Although it seemed unlikely this was the final score of the match, although both sides went close over the next 30 minutes. With 10 minutes left a home forward was sin-binned for killing the ball at a ruck and the Lions defence held out for a narrow but well deserved victory and the double over local rivals.

The Lions are still in the relegation slots but are only 3 points behind the two teams immediately above them and only 4 points behind Old Hales. Much work needs to be done, but this was an encouraging win.

Jon Dews