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..and so to some rugby.
The game went ahead after a couple of pitch
inspections, credit to both clubs for holding their nerve and not crying off
too early.
The Lions came agonisingly close to their
first win of the season, only in the last 10 minutes did Bedford catch, then
put a uneven gloss on the score.
For the Lions Jon Hylton returned at full
back, while Alex Taylor partnered Stuart Potter at centre. Rob Hurrell
pulled out late Friday so Steve Smith moved to the second row and
Prosser-Shaw came into the back row. But the question on the supporters lips
(well one of many!) was could the Lions pick themselves up from last weeks
performance. The answer was a resounding yes
The first half was a scrappy affair, Lions
having the better of the early possession, though Bedford took the lead with
a penalty after 15 mins, kicked by James Pritchard 0 - 3. John Boden quickly
cancelled this out. 3 - 3
The game was then held up as first
Bedford's Paul Rollason was strechered off with a dislocated knee, and then
almost in the next passage of play Sam Tovo was also strechered off with
judging by the look on his face a very painful leg injury. Nice to see both
sets of players applaud their own and opposition player off the field.
On 40 minutes Boden kicked the Lions into
the lead with another penalty (6 - 3). Bedford pressed hard gaining a 5
meter scrum well into injury time, could the Lions hold out? Bedford scrum
half Stephen Bell was pinged for feeding the scrum, Lions cleared their
lines giving them a slender lead to take into half time.
The lead could have been more as both
Taylor and Prosser-Shaw failed to sell dummies with men on the over lap.
Another day both would have resulted in tries, but luck just ain't with us.
Half Time
Lions 6 - Bedford 3
Now it was this point last week the wheels
fell off, had Judge tightened them up this week during the break.......well
it didn't look so as Bedford came charging out the traps. They had closed
the gap after 3 minutes with another Pricthard penalty (6 - 6). Unsure what
this was for, as the the refs signal was a sort like the start of the
'birdie song'. Bedford then scored the games first try through Fred
Fichot. ( 6 - 11). Oh dear here we go again, but no, a break by Ben Wheeler,
supported by Phil Reed saw Jon Hylton enter the line, his little grubber
kick spilt the defence and he touched down by the posts. Boden converted (
13 - 11).
The shed hardly had time to catch it's
breath when Stuart Potter intercepted just over half way to race away and
score. Again Boden converted ( 20 - 11).
Bedford had hit back within 3 minutes.
Lions turned over Bedford ball on their own line only for the clearance kick
to bobble a few yards into the grateful arms of the Bedford winger. He
darted over the line for a try, the conversion just cleared the bar. (20 -
18) Boden then further extended the Lions lead with another penalty. ( 23 -
18).
Could this be the day, could it be 'W'
day???
.....unfortunately not. Bedford ran in 3
late tries to take all the points. Another so near but yet so far.
Final score
Lions 23 - Bedford 35
Andrew musings
Well a traumatic week at Webb Ellis Rd and
still no news as to what's happening.
As for the rugby. A different team
altogether than last week, passion and commitment by the bucket full, first
up tackling much improved, but still no win. If this game had come on the
back of a couple of wins it would have been a different story, but we just
don't seem to be able to close a game down in the last quarter.
Bedford as ever brought a large number of
travelling supporters, pleasant lot by me in the shed, no gloating, only
praise for the Lions
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