Going to away games with Lions is getting to be just like “Groundhog day”.  Yet another agonisingly close defeat which could so easily have been a victory.  At least Lions showed signs of improvement in this latest reversal.

Yet another damp, dismal afternoon greeted Lions as they ran out onto Bracknell’s wet and muddy pitch……..but just spare a thought for us poor spectators who had to stand in inches of mud to view the game. 

Lions had new centre Ian Hyde playing his first game for the club, whilst in the pack Paul Shadbolt's injured shoulder saw a late call up from the bench for Bennett Smith.

Lions kicked off up the slope with a cold blustery breeze blowing across the pitch.  Sam Tovo picked up where he left off last week, with a huge hit on the Bracknell number eight which left him clutching various body parts, and counting others.  However, it was Bracknell who first showed their paces with some strong forward drives.  Despite the treacherous conditions, the Bracknell backs pushed the ball wide at every opportunity, but the Lions’ defence held firm, with Ian Hyde putting in some telling tackles on his debut.

Bracknell were certainly having the better of the opening exchanges, and they should have taken the lead when awarded a penalty in a very kickable position, but the full back screwed his kick wide.  Now Lions gradually started to work their way into the game.  A good passage of play saw the ball swung left, and then right (something we have not seen from Lions for some time!!), but a promising position was lost due to poor handling.  A long kick by Becconsall set up another attacking position for Lions, but again the conditions forced errors allowing Bracknell to clear their lines.

A series of high kicks by Bracknell were dealt with by Lions, with the ever dependable Matt Coley to the fore.  It was from one of these kicks that Rob Porteus almost set up a score for Lions.  Talking a good catch on his own 22 he set off on a scything run through the advancing defence, and his kick to the line was scrambled clear by Bracknell at the expense of a 5 metre scrum to Lions.  Unfortunately it was the all too familiar story, with possession being lost in a position which should have seen a score.

An even better opportunity went begging minutes later when Matt Coley found himself clean through, only to inexplicably throw out a wild pass which was gratefully accepted by a Bracknell forward, again allowing them to clear the danger.  Now it was Bracknell’s turn to step up the pace.  A long penalty to the corner saw a sweeping move almost put their left wing over, but the Lions cover was equal to the task.

So we reached half time with no score to either side.  Perhaps if the referee had not been so keen to blow his whistle so quickly at every breakdown, the game would have been allowed to flow more.:

The second half started pretty much as the first with Bracknell’s strong pack exerting the early pressure, but again Lions held firm.  Bracknell were working the line outs well, and in their attempts to disrupt possession, Lions were penalised for pulling down.  This time the Bracknell full back made no mistake with a well struck penalty to put the first points on the board.

Back came Bracknell again, with their forwards providing plenty of possession for their backs to hammer at Lions’ line.  An offside decision in the shadow of Lions’ posts allowed Bracknell’s full back to give them a 6 point lead from the resultant penalty.  Again Bracknell drove into the Lions’ 22, and again Lions were penalised, but this time the decision was reversed for some foul play.  The relieving kick provided a platform for Lions to show their metal, and now it was their turn to exert pressure on Bracknell.  A good spell by the Lions’ forwards saw Barry Muir convert a penalty to reduce the deficit.

Now Lions were starting to play with a purpose, and a typical charge by Dave Muckalt saw him inches away from a score.  However, the only reward for Lions was another penalty, beautifully struck by Barry Muir to bring the scores level.

A scrappy passage of play followed, with meaningless kicks by both teams resulting in rugby’s version of Wimbledon.  Neither side really looked capable of a score now, and a draw looked an inevitable and fair result.  However, the referee had other ideas, and a series of dubious decisions saw Bracknell in an attacking position.  Although there was no imminent danger, a Lions player played the ball in a blatantly offside position, allowing Bracknell’s full back to restore their lead with a simple penalty.

With a few minutes remaining plus some injury time, Lions still had an opportunity to come back, but just as they got themselves into a promising position, the referee blew for full time.  This seemed somewhat early, never mind injury time………a case of premature adulation for Bracknell.  The referee could not be blamed for Lions’ missed chances, but with neither side dominating, a draw would have been a fair result.

Final result:

Bracknell            9            Lions             6

After the Newbury defeat I wrote:

“Yet another disappointing narrow defeat for Lions, although not in the same vein as Nottingham and Fylde.  However, this is a game that Lions could and should have won.  Enough chances to win were created, but sadly not enough were taken.” 

Unfortunately this was exactly the case again today.  However, all is not gloom and doom as the performance was by no means a bad one………but it could still be better!!  Luckily results went for us today as both Harrogate and Kendal lost, still leaving us in touch with the leaders…….Bracknell!!