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If
Lions’ supporters had been offered this score a few weeks ago, they would
have grasped it with both hands, but following today’s game they were
disappointed that the team did not manage to get at least a bonus point.
Lions started where they left off after last week’s heroic second half
effort against Rotherham to turn in another sterling performance to hold
high flying Bees to just a 3 point half time advantage. Unfortunately, the
home side upped the pace in the second half and ran out worthy winners,
although the score did not do justice to the Lions’ endeavours.
With
Jacques Steyn sidelined through injury, Alex Taylor partnered Stuart Potter
in the centre, with Phil Reed moving from scrum half to the wing to
accommodate Aadel Khardooni. New boy Andy McAdam filled the other wing
slot. Another “new boy” was on the bench in the form of old favourite
Trevor Revan who has returned to Lions on a match by match loan basis from
Coventry. Simon Black started at prop in place of the injured Glen Carson.
Rob Hurrell returned at lock after his suspension to partner Matt Hunter.
Last week’s locks Tom Hayman and Tim Stannard moved to the back row
alongside captain Tristan Prosser-Shaw.
Lions
started brightly, pinning Bees back in their own 22. A Lions’ scrum in
midfield saw Matt Vines steaming through, but he was penalised in the tackle
and Bees were able to clear the pressure. Lions were having the better of
the early exchanges, with a solid scrum and some excellent line-out work
allowing possession to be retained……something that was sadly lacking before
the arrival of Judge Rendall.
| It
was excellent ball retention and good recycling that gave Jon Boden the
opportunity to open the scoring with a superbly struck drop goal out of
the mud from 40 metres. ( 0 – 3 ). Tim
Stannard was hurt in the build up to the score, and Lions’ already long
injury list got longer as the influential back row man was carried off with
what looked like a serious knee injury. Ryan Banks came on as replacement.
|
Drop goal - Boden |
Bees
showed their attacking prowess as a Luke Smith penalty took them deep into
Lions’ territory. The line out was won, but Lion’s defence was firm to hold
the initial drive. When the ball was spun wide, the Lions’ tacklers hit
hard and true and the ball was spilled allowing Lions to clear.
More
good defensive work saw Bees’ possession turned over and Alex Taylor broke
from his own 22 to feed Phil Reed on half way. Unfortunately the speedy
winger slipped on the mud bath of a pitch as he cut inside and the chance
was lost.
Lions
came even closer to a score when Stuart Potter crashed through the centre
from a solid Lions’ scrum. He was hauled down yards short of the line, but
Lions were awarded the scrum put in. Bees foiled a back row move and they
were able to scramble the ball clear.
Bees
worked the ball back upfield, but some excellent Lions’ tackling again
stifled a promising move along the backs. However, Bees were awarded a
penalty 35 metres out as Lions were caught offside and Luke Smith drilled
his kick between the posts to bring the scores level. ( 3 – 3 ). This was
the first points Lions had conceded in 70 minutes of rugby……not something
Lions’ supporters are used to!!
A
superb Matt Vines catch at full pace from a Bees’ kick through set up
another attacking position for Lions, but again they just couldn’t work the
gap for the all important score, and again Bees were able to work the ball
back upfield. A lovely kick to the corner by Luke Smith had Matt Vines
scrambling the ball into touch, but Lions stole the line out to allow Jon
Boden to relieve the pressure.
Lions
were unfortunate to go behind when Aadel Khardooni was caught at the base of
a scrum and Lions were penalised. Luke Smith made no mistake from an almost
identical position to his first kick. ( 6 – 3 ).
Bees
knocked on from the kick off, but referee Trevor Fish deemed it came off the
player’s chest. Insult was added to injury as Lions were penalised.
However, they were soon back on the attack as Aadel Khardooni retrieved a
Bees’ kick through to feed Matt Vines who drilled a superb 60 metres kick to
the corner. Bees made a mess of the line out, but the ball managed to evade
any Lions’ players for what could have been a gift of a try, and they were
awarded a scrum for the knock on.
How
times have changed!! It was fast approaching half time, a period when
Lions’ have managed to concede points in every game this season. Yet here
they were with a scrum on the Bees’ line!! Unfortunately the Bees’ defence
held firm against a series of drives, and the referee came to their rescue
as he blew for half time.
Half time
Birmingham Solihull 6 Lions 3
Lions
supporters were in good heart as they looked for more of the same from their
team in the second half. There was a huge cheer as Trevor Revan started the
second half in place of Simon Black. Welcome home Trevor!! Unfortunately
things did not start too well as Jon Boden’s kick off did not go the
required 10 metres. A well worked move from the scrum saw Nick Baxter
scything through, but Matt Vines managed to catch the flying winger in the
corner, and the ball was lost in the tackle for Lions to breath a sigh of
relief as they cleared.
The
relief was short-lived as a resurgent Bees applied more pressure from a free
kick. Lions’ defence held firm and forced a knock on, but the referee
brought play back and awarded Bees a penalty under the posts for a Lions’
offside. Luke Smith had no difficulty converting the simple 3 points. ( 9
– 3 ).
| Lions
needed a score to get themselves back in the game, but unfortunately it was
Bees who managed to score the first try……but not before a seasonal pantomime
moment. With Lions under pressure, Alex Taylor’s clearance was charged down
and the ball rebounded to stop just a metre from the Lions’ line. The Bees’
attacker, with several colleagues around him but not a Lions’ player in
sight, only had to tap the ball over the line and fall on it for a simple
try. However, the silly Ozzie Osbourne tried to pick it up……..and promptly
knocked on, much to the glee of the Lions’ supporters. How their laughter
echoed around the Bees’ quaint new “stand”. It’s a good job they were there
to use it otherwise it would have been an extremely lonely place with Bees’
supporters in short supply. |
Whoops - knock on |
However, the Lions’ laughter was short lived as Bees took the heel against
the head from the resultant scrum and managed to push their way over for a
try. No doubt the Lions’ players were still laughing at the original
incident and their mind was not on the job in hand. Luke Smith added the
simple conversion. ( 16 – 3 ).
Lee
Morley replaced Matt Hunter as Lions tried to haul themselves back into the
game. However, referee Trevor Fish had other ideas as he gave a series of
strange decisions against Lions that infuriated their supporters. There was
not a sole in the plaice who doubted that he looked out of his depth as he
looked to flounder with a cod awful performance that had”dock” Doug
Hutchinson whaling (sorry folks…..couldn’t resist it!!).
A
promising Lions move had Matt Vines hitting the line at pace to put Phil
Reed away, but the winger was blatantly blocked as he chipped to the line.
However, play was recalled for a forward pass. Lions were then penalised
for a “high” tackle…….it probably would have been on someone 4 feet 6 inches
tall!!. Bees spurned the 3 points and opted for a scrum. A blatant knock
on was missed to allow Bees to sustain the pressure. Another set piece move
put Nick Baxter in space, but brilliant covering by Lions smashed the danger
man into touch by the corner flag.
| A
penalty at the resultant line out allowed Lions to clear, but another
driving Baxter run down the middle had Lions on the back foot.
Lions were distinctly second best at this stage, with Bees dominating
possession. What little possession Lions did have was not used
effectively as Lions failed to find a cutting edge in their limited
attacks. It was Tom Hayman who
brightened the gloomy afternoon for Lions’ supporters as he broke
brilliantly from a scrum deep in his own 22 to storm 60 metres upfield. The
position was set for Lions to at least score the try that they deserved.
Sadly the ball was lost and Bees’ replacement Andy Smallwood hacked the ball
almost the full length of the field to score an opportunist try. Insult was
added to injury as someone added an excellent touchline conversion. It
wasn’t Luke Smith as he had been replaced….and he didn’t look too pleased
about it either!! ( 23 – 3 ). |
Tom Hayman on the charge |
Little more happened in a nondescript last 10 minutes, except the yellow
carding of Bees’ Michael Davies for saying something untoward to referee
Trevor Fish……something that the Lions’ supporters had been doing all of the
second half!!
Final result:
Birmingham Solihull 23 Lions 3
Don's musings
Again
Lions can take heart from a much improved first half performance, although
sadly this could not be maintained in the second half. The influence of the
Judge is there for all to see. The whole team looks far more organised,
especially in defence. The scrum is starting to look solid, and the line
out work is a revelation…….the long throw has actually started to work for
us!! Another important improvement is the dramatic reduction in the penalty
count against us.
We
now need to look at developing our attacking potential in order to convert
pressure into points. Lions should really have had two scores in the first
half today……and who knows what then might have happened in the second half.
However, let’s not ask for too much too soon. If the rate of improvement in
recent weeks can be maintained, the first win of the season is not too far
away. I suppose victory at Worcester is asking too much, but wouldn’t it be
nice to beat Coventry at Web Ellis Road.!! Come on boys…..you owe us one!! |
