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Lions
put up a battling performance against a Welsh team enjoying a rich vein of
form. To the Lions’ credit they stuck to their task despite winning very
few lineouts and having their scrum ball continuously disrupted by the
powerful Welsh pack.
Lions
were once again hampered by a spate of injuries and were forced to field a
pair of non-specialist locks, with back rowers Tom Hayman and Ben Smith
stepping into the breach. Captain and new General Manager Steve Smith was
also unfit, so Jimmy Fornoni started at number 8. With the unlucky Sam Tovo
out for the rest of the season, Tristan Prosser-Shaw came into the back
row. Injury also saw Jason Critchley coming in at centre for Stuart Potter.
The
injury crisis also meant that Lions could only muster 5 fit replacements,
including evergreen Eddie Saunders.
Lions
were penalised at the first ruck, and when Welsh won the resultant lineout,
Jon Boden almost charged down Dafydd Lewis’s crossfield kick. Unfortunately
he only succeeded in getting the faintest of touches, but it was enough to
give Welsh the put in at the lineout 10 metres from Lions’ line. A good
catch and an unstoppable drive gave Lions the worst possible start as Welsh
hooker Chris Ritchie was driven over. Dafydd Lewis rubbed salt into the
wound with his conversion from wide out. ( 7 – 0 ).
Lions
had an immediate opportunity to put points on the board when Welsh were
penalised from the restart as Lions mounted a useful attack. Unfortunately
John Boden pushed his simple kick wide from 22 metres straight in front of
the posts.
Things didn’t improve as a good passage of play by Lions worked Alex Taylor
into space on the right, but he slipped as he straightened for the line and
the chance was lost. Lions retained possession and swung the ball left, but
Jon Hylton’s chip through was easily covered.
Good
work by the full back in returning a Welsh kick forced a knock on 22 metres
from the Welsh line, but Lions were penalised for not releasing the ball in
the tackle from the pick up and drive. Welsh won the resultant lineout,
but Tristan Prosser-Shaw produced his now familiar party piece as he
intercepted the inside pass to clear. However, the ball was lost in
midfield, and Welsh were again awarded the penalty as Lions tried to reclaim
possession. Dafydd Lewis made no mistake with the 40 metres straight kick.
( 10 – 0 ).
Lions
had to make an early change as Ben Wheeler was unable to continue and Ryan
Banks took his place at flanker.
More
good play by Lions saw James Baker gain ground down the right, and this time
it was Welsh that were penalised for not rolling away from the tackle. Jon
Boden tapped the kick to the corner, but Welsh stole the line for scrum half
Richard Elliott to clear.
A
blatant forward pass was missed by the officials to give Welsh wing Geraint
John the opportunity to set up another attacking position, but Lions’ cover
was good and the clearance made. A turnover in midfield then gave Lions
another opportunity, but with Tristan Prosser-Shaw and Jason Critchley both
lying injured, Lions were unable to make any headway against a stubborn
Welsh defence.
When
a Lions’ scrum was wheeled, Welsh used the platform to launch a simple back
move that left Geraint John the room to step inside the cover and cross for
the second try. Again Dafydd Jones added the conversion. ( 17 – 0 ).
Lions
refused to lie down, and a lovely break by James Baker from deep defence was
carried on by Jon Hylton who was stopped agonisingly short of the line.
Welsh were penalised for offside as they tried to regroup, and Jon Boden
tapped the kick to the corner. Unfortunately with no recognised Lions’
jumper, Welsh again stole the line to clear.
Lions’ luck was again out when Jason Critchley intercepted a Welsh attack in
his own 22, but he didn’t have the legs to go the length of the pitch and
was caught by Welsh replacement Bruno Green. Welsh managed to scramble
clear, and another chance for Lions had gone begging.
When
a Lions’ move broke down in midfield, Welsh used the possession to good
effect, and a good passage of play saw Geraint John burst clear for his
second try. Dafydd Lewis’s conversion was again good. ( 24 – 0 ).
Again
Lions countered from a Welsh kick, with James Baker almost breaking clear.
A mistake at the base of the resultant scrum allowed Dafydd Lewis to launch
a long kick downfield that Phil Reed could only bundle into touch. Lions
were penalised for offside as they sought to repel a Welsh attack from the
lineout, and Dafydd Lewis’s trusty boot added the 3 points with a simple
kick. (27 – 0 )
On
the stroke of half time, a poor Lions’ clearance allowed Welsh to spin the
ball wide where Adam Bidwell was in acres of space to stroll over. This
time Dafydd Lewis pushed his conversion attempt wide. ( 32 – 0 ).
Lions
still had time to charge down a Welsh kick to drive in, but they were held
up over the line as the referee blew for half time. Wot, no injury
time!?!?!?!
Half time
London Welsh 67 Lions 17
The
second half started with Eddie Saunders, responding to the injury crisis, on
for Jason Critchley, with James Baker moving to centre. Lions started
brightly with a good run from Phil Reed continued by Peter Jenkins, but the
support was slow to arrive and the momentum was lost.
Welsh
started to build up a head of steam, and after pulling the Lions’ defence
wide on both flanks, Matt Fitzgerald forced his way over by the posts.
Dafydd Lewis added the simple conversion. ( 39 – 0 ).
With
the Lions scrum under pressure and the pack unable to win any lineout ball,
Welsh were enjoying ample possession, and the Lions’ line cracked again as
poor tackling allowed Dafydd Lewis to cross and add the conversion. ( 46 –
0 ).
Another disrupted Lions’ scrum gave Welsh possession, and Florent Rossigneux
forced his way over and was awarded the try although he did not appear to
ground the ball properly. Once again Dafydd Lewis added the conversion. (
53 – 0 ).
A
clever restart saw Eddie Saunders regain possession, and the ball was moved
swiftly left where Alex Taylor made the half break to put Phil Reed over in
the corner. Jon Boden’s touchline conversion hit a post, which just about
said it all in terms of the way things are going for Lions. ( 53 – 5 ).
A
knock on by Welsh gave Lions a scrum on half way. This time a quick heel
allowed Jon Boden to dummy inside and fire out a long pass to Jon Hylton
whose quick hands gave Eddie Saunders room to weave his magic. He rolled
back the years to go outside his man and then cut inside the full back to
score a memorable try. John Boden’s conversion was good. ( 53 – 12 ).
Lions
were not giving up without a fight, and good hands put Tristan Prosser-Shaw
away down the right. His inside pass did not go to hand, but Eddie Saunders
hacked on and regathered, only to be stopped just short of the line. Welsh
broke from deep, and although the initial thrust was stopped, Richard
Elliott put Bruno Green away down the blind side for a score under the
posts. Dafydd Lewis added the conversion. ( 60 – 12 ).
5
minutes left, but there was still time for Lions to score again. Good ball
retention set up the position, and when Welsh were penalised in front of
their posts, a quick tap moved the ball wide where Jon Boden’s clever inside
pass allowed Alex Taylor to dive over. Jon Boden’s conversion hit the
post…….again!! ( 60 – 17 ).
There
was still time for Lions to add the all important 4th try for the
very welcome bonus point, but unfortunately the ball went lose as Lions ran
from their own line, for Richard Catt to claim a simple try. Dafydd Lewis
fittingly had the last word with yet another conversion.
Final result:
London Welsh 67 Lions 17
Don's musings
Despite the scoreline, Lions depleted squad competed well throughout against
a team on top of their form as demonstrated by their narrow defeat against
Rotherham last week. Lions suffered from a lack of possession, but still
managed to score three good tries. It is just a pity that they couldn’t
manufacturer one more to gain a bonus point. Three golden opportunities
were missed in the first half, but at least the chances were created, and
Lions are now proving that they can punch holes in defences.
Lions
now have 2 weeks to hope that some of their walking wounded recover to play
against Moseley. With little to be salvaged from the season, a win would be
no more than the Lions’ faithful supporters deserve.
15
Hylton 16 Banks
14
Baker 17 Black
13
Critchley 18 Saunders
12
Taylor 19 Mee
11
Reed 20 Rhys Williams
10
Boden
9
Jenkins
8
Fornoni
7 TPS
6
Wheeler
5 Ben
Smith
4
Hayman
3
Carson
2
Barratt
1
Greengrass
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