|
Another
frustrating afternoon for Lions’ supporters saw the team slip to yet
another narrow away defeat after again failing to perform to their full
potential. At least on this
occasion there were signs of what we all know is lurking in there
somewhere, but chances were made and spurned as the result swung on a
lucky bounce for Newbury.
|
A
strong wind and driving rain saw all but a few hardy souls
trying to seek shelter in the lea of the clubhouse, with no
other standing cover available.
In atrocious conditions Lions started strongly, with Dan
Bailey being first to show with a typical sniping run.
Steve Smith, was on his shoulder to carry on the move,
and Lions won a penalty with Newbury in disarray.Chris Withey,
starting his first full League game after a solid performance in
last week’s cup win at Liverpool St. Helens, put the kick into
the corner. A good
take and drive from the resultant line was held up by Newbury,
but they were again penalised, and this time Withey put Lions in
front with a well struck kick.
|
Steve
Smith
|
The
youngster seemed to have difficulty adapting to the pace of the game,
and quickly found that time and space were at a premium as he had a
couple of kicks charged down. From
the second of these, Newbury swept upfield, and this time it was
Lions’ turn to concede a penalty, which Dave Griffiths converted.
Back
came Lions, and with the conditions calling for controlled forward play,
that is exactly what their pack provided.
A series of powerful drives had Newbury defending grimly, but
Lions were not to be denied this time and Tim Collier crashed his way
over for a well deserved try. Chris
Withey duly added the conversion.
Newbury
did not allow Lions to build on this platform, and now it was their turn
to show that their forwards could also adapt to the appalling
conditions, although a
solid Lions’ defence thwarted several efforts.
Eventually Lions were penalised in front of their own posts, but
Newbury scorned a definate three points and took a quick tap.
The ball was swiftly worked out wide where Newbury forced their
way over for a try. Griffiths
was unable to add the conversion from close to the touch line.
Again
Lions responded, but again they were unable to convert pressure into
points, an all too familiar failing in recent matches.
A high kick from Chris Withey was well fielded by Griffiths, the
Newbury full back, and with a quick tap from the mark, he swiftly turned
defence into attack, and Lions found themselves back pedalling.
Newbury’s forwards were now driving in hard, and from a close
in scrum, a well worked move saw their winger cut in on a good angled
run to score unopposed by the posts.
This time Griffiths tagged on the conversion to put Newbury back
in front.
Lions
were not to be outdone, but again several promising situations came to
nothing as the conditions started to take their toll, with dropped
passes preventing another score. On
the stroke of half time, concerted pressure from Lions resulted in
Newbury being penalised for offside.
Chris Withey again stepped up to strike an excellent penalty to
leave Lions 2 points adrift at half time.
Half
time:
Newbury
15
Lions 13
With
Matt Coley picking up an injury in the first half, Lions brought on
Barry Muir for a welcome return after his recent bereavement, Chris
Withey moving to full back to accommodate him in his usual fly half
role.
Lions
were looking far more purposeful this half, and a quick tap penalty by
Dave Muckalt allowed the backs to work an opening down the right flank.
Unfortunately, Rob Porteus’s final inside pass went to ground
with a certain seven points beckoning.
Newbury cleared from the resultant scrum, but Lions were now
enjoying their best period of the game, and a good break by Chris Withey
led to Newbury being penalised. Again
Withey’s kick was true, and Lions were back in the lead, albeit by the
slenderist of margins.
|
|
Newbury
now started to vary their tactics, and a series of high kicks
were hesitantly dealt with by Withey at full back.
It was one such towering kick that lead to a fortuitous
score by Newbury. Withey
and Dunn both hesitated, fatally allowing the ball to bounce.
|
|
Chris
Withey
|
It
hit an upright and rebounded straight into the arms of a
grateful Newbury player who simply had to put the ball under the
posts. The simple
conversion gave Newbury a 6 point cushion.
|
Lions
were not to be denied easily, and a penalty to the corner by Muir saw
another good take by Collier supported by a strong forward drive.
Sadly Lions were again unable to convert pressure into points,
and were eventually penalised for not releasing, allowing Newbury to
breath a sigh of relief as they cleared their line.
In
a final throw of the dice, Lions brought on Rob Field for winger Rob
Porteus, with flanker Paul Thompson moving to the unaccustomed wing
position. The fresh legs in
the pack seemed to have done the trick, when concerted pressure by the
Lions pack resulted in Newbury again being penalised in preventing a
Lions score. With the
offence being committed close to the Newbury line, Lions had the
opportunity to go for a try and conversion that would put them back in
front. Should they take the
scrum, or kick to the corner and take the line?
After a long debate on the field, Lions ignored both, opting to
kick for goal, and again Chris Withey mastered the elements to kick
another 3 points.
Lions
now had five minutes to create another score, and they were playing with
a sense of urgency. A
strong mid field break by Dan Bailey saw him on his own with the full
back to beat. A kick and
chase to the line looked the best option in the conditions, but the
scrum half tried to beat his man and the Newbury full back made the
tackle. Newbury were able
to stifle the move and another chance had gone begging.
With time running out, yet another penalty was conceded by
Newbury as Lions applied more pressure.
The Newbury centre prevented Lions taking a quick tap and was sin
binned for his trouble. Should
Lions now go for the 3 points that would tie the game?
This time Muir kicked to the corner, but it was all too late, and
Newbury were able to hold out to claim the points.
Final
result:
Newbury
22
Lions
19
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. Frustratingly the
team just does not seem to be firing on all cylinders, something that
must be remedied quickly.
Next
week’s home cup tie against Manchester offers Lions the opportunity to
show what they are really capable of.
A morale boosting win is what is needed by both the team and its
long suffering supporters before returning to the League campaign.
Surely the prospect of a tilt at the mighty ‘Quins will make
players raise their game to the level we know they are capable of.
One
thing is for sure, despite today’s disappointing defeat, we, the ever
optimistic supporters, will be back in the shed next week to cheer the
team on. One week, things
are going to click, and someone is going to suffer.
Let’s hope it will be sooner rather than later.
|
