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Lions put up a brave
performance against table topping Rotherham, but were comprehensively
outscored by six tries to one. However,
although overpowered they were never overawed, and displayed enough
enterprise in both attack and defence to warm the frozen cockles of the
Lions’ supporters who braved the gale force winds to cheer on their
team.
| With Paul Shadbolt and Mark
Edwards still suffering from knocks taken at Bedford, Bennett Smith came
into the front row and Tom Walsh took over at scrum half.
The other change was in the centre where Fa’atoto Moananu started
in place of flu victim Stewart Potter.
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'T' in action against Roth |
The travelling band of Lions’
supporters had to brave arctic conditions as a howling gale blew
diagonally cross the pitch…..but at least it wasn’t raining as Lions
had first use of the elements. However,
they were unable to take advantage as Rotherham’s kick off hung in the
wind allowing them to secure possession.
Their powerful pack trundled forward ominously before Lions were
caught offside in the shadow of their own posts.
Rotherham elected to kick to the corner, and were rewarded as the
line out was won and hooker Chris Johnson claimed the touchdown from the
subsequent drive. International fly half Ramiro Pez (almost as strange a name
as Wilf Linkley……another anagram if ever I saw one!!) failed with the
conversion in the blustery conditions.
Lions were awarded a penalty on
the restart, but Cliff Richards was greedy with the kick as the wind
failed to carry the ball into touch and it drifted straight dead giving
Rotherham the scrum back in the Lions’ half.
More driving play by Rotherham again had Lions on the back foot as
they conceded another penalty, this time for coming into the ruck on the
wrong side.
The penalty was duly despatched
to the corner, but this time as the Rotherham pack drove deep into
Lions’ territory, Tim Stannard did a superb job to rip the ball clear in
the tackle. Richard Davies made no mistake with the clearance as his
gale-assisted kick bounced into touch fully 90 metres downfield!!
Now it was Lions’ turn to
apply pressure, but they were met by strong Rotherham defence.
James Ogilvie-Bull almost found a way through as his powerful
handoff created the space for him to free Phil Reed, but the wing was
unable to get into his stride before the cover hit him.
Lions kept up the pressure and
were eventually rewarded with a penalty as Rotherham strayed offside.
Cliff Richards’ kick drifted narrowly wide in the strong wind,
but he made no mistake with his second attempt as Rotherham repeated the
offence.
Again Rotherham secured the
ball from the kick off, and Alfie Tooala powered through but was stopped
by an excellent tackle from Cliff Richards……well, he stopped him long
enough for the “cavalry” to arrive.
Lions were now living life on the edge as Rotherham’s power pack
set up wave after wave of attacks. After
several penalties for various offences, Pig Brittin was shown the yellow
card when he became the unfortunate player who broke the referee’s
patience.
The penalty was tapped, and a
“flat” pass (we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt) from fly half
Rampo Riez had Leon Greef powering in for the try.
Again, fly half Zero Prima’s conversion attempt was wide.
Good hands by the Rotherham
backs initiated by fly half Razor Pime made space for the marauding Alfie
Tooala, but again the Lions’ defence hauled him down and secured a
scrum. The ball was driven on
from the pick up, but as it was laid back, Rotherham were able to steal
and move the ball wide for Jason Keyter to speed over in the corner.
The conversion attempt into the teeth of the gale by fly half Ezra
Primo was well short.
Lions now had a good spell with
some driving play and excellent ball retention, but they were unable to
breach the Rotherham defence as the referee blew for half time.
Half time
Rotherham
15
Lions
3
As the teams headed for the
warmth of the changing rooms, the intrepid band of Lions’ supporters
huddled together for warmth as they were battered by the howling gale.
By now extremities were numb with cold, and there were reports of
several brass monkeys being sighted.
At least we had the second half to look forward to when Rotherham
would have the howling gale at their backs.
Oh joy!!
Rotherham drove downfield from
the kick-off, and a scrum was secured 15 metres from Lions’ line.
Alfie Tooala picked up from number 8, and despite the attentions of
several tacklers, managed to stay on his feet to be driven over for the
try. Despite now having the
wind in his favour, fly half Oz Perrami pulled the conversion wide.
The signs were ominous, but
Lions kept their heads up with some terrific tackling.
Steve Smith and Ben Lewitt replaced Tim Stannard and Will
Pilkington to inject some fresh legs into the Lions’ pack.
Lions were now taking the game
to Rotherham, and several penalties for offside saw Lions make good ground
before one offence too many saw the yellow card reduce the Rotherham
ranks. Lions should have secured a score with their numeric
advantage, but a knock on allowed Rotherham to clear well downfield.
Now a crucial moment for Lions
as Tim Collier and Alfie Tooala were yellow carded for
fighting…….another yellow card for Tim means that he will miss the
next two games.
The old war-horse Dave Scully
now came on in place of fly half Pami Rozer for Rotherham, while Lions
replaced Fa’atoto Moananu with Matt Tassell.
| Again
Lions showed good enterprise as they drove upfield into the teeth of
the gale.
When they were awarded a free kick, lovely hands released Phil Reed
and his final pass to the supporting Pete Roberts saw him held short
of the line, but he stretched what looked like a good metre (size
does matter) to touch down for an excellent score.
Cliff Richards' conversion was pulled wide.
Marek Kwisiuk now came on for
Pig Brittin as Tim Collier and Alfie Tooala returned to the fray.
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Reed to Roberts |
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...just on the line |
A series of penalties to
Rotherham saw them taken quickly, and as the defence was stretched first
left and then right, space was created for the wing to race in at the
corner. Dave Scully’s
conversion attempt was wide.
Lions were unable to make any
headway against a Rotherham defence whose tacklers must have been quicker
off the mark than Linford Christie as they continuously prevented Lions
building up any attacking momentum.
Rotherham were soon back on the
attack following a 50 metres clearance by Dave Scully.
When Lions were penalised for handling in the ruck, scrum half
Charlie Harrison took the quick tap to dart over for Rotherham’s sixth
try. Dave Scully kept up the perfect record as again his
conversion missed the target.
Lions refused to lie down, and
drove in again, only to be taken back by a prodigious kick almost the full
length of the field that rivalled Dicky’s in the first half.
As Rotherham attacked, a determined Lions’ defence prevented them
adding to their try tally as the referee blew for full time.
Final result:
Rotherham
30
Lions
8
Lion’s travelling supporters
attempted to get some feeling back into their frozen assets as they made
their way to the lovely warm clubhouse………and a pint of cold
Guinness.
Despite the result, this was
another good performance from Lions against the best team in the League.
There was some excellent defence to savour, and another score was
not far away, but the ball was not retained at crucial times.
Although the last 2 games have
been lost, Lions have not lost any ground in the league as the teams below
them have failed to take advantage. With
games running out, Lions mid-table position looks secure, so they should
be able to relax into their remaining games.
More performances like the first half at Bedford will surely
deliver a few more wins. Let’s
start with next week’s home game against London Welsh. |
