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Lions’
supporters came along today ready to back their team to the hilt despite the
recent poor displays, but they were rewarded with yet another totally
unacceptable performance that highlighted the ineptitude of the current
management and coaching set up.
Lions
showed that the improvement we have been promised each week was still not
forthcoming as they conspired to completely miss the first line-out. Manchester gratefully accepted possession and set up their
first attacking opportunity. Luckily
the excellent Matt Vines, who must be wondering what he has let himself in
for, produced a try saving smother tackle on Craig Cooper as the Manchester
centre went for the corner.
However,
it wasn’t long before Manchester were in front as they took good line-out
possession and Lions were incapable of stopping the drive as lock David
Jessiman broke from the maul to crash over.
Marcus Barrow pulled his conversion attempt well wide.
( 0 – 5 ).
A fine
Matt Vines take from a high kick set up the Lions first attack. A good kick to the corner by Jacques Steyne saw a hurried
clearance retrieved by Stuart Potter who drove back deep into Manchester
territory. Lions swung the ball
wide and good hands by Guy Manson-Bishop in the centre(!?!?!?!) almost had
James Black away, but the winger was unable to take an overhead pass.
However, referee Alan Biggs recalled play for a Manchester offside,
and Jason Critchley confidently stroked the penalty.
( 3 – 5 ).
Manchester
again drove in hard, but were met by defiant Lions’ tackling with Jacques
Steyne to the fore. Lions were
again indebted to Matt Vines as Manchester fly half John Broxson spotted the
gap, but the Lions’ full back again made the all important tackle.
Lions
made an immediate reposte as a chip over the Manchester defence saw the
flying James Baker almost take an awkward bounce.
However, Manchester were penalised as they attempted to clear and
Jason Critchley gave Lions the lead with the simple kick.
( 6 – 5 ).
A
Lions penalty for Manchester not binding properly at the scrum gave Jacques
Steyne the opportunity to set up an attacking line-out.
This time the throw was good, and several phases of play drove the
ball to the shadow of the Manchester posts where Jacques Steyne struck a
sweet drop goal to extend Lions’ lead.
( 9 – 5 ).
Lions
were now starting to wind things up and a sweeping move down the right
involving James Baker, Phil Reed, and Tristan Prosser-Shaw almost saw the
break. As the ball was swung left, wing James Black almost got round
his man but was just held. The
ball was slung back right and more good work by Matt Vines, this time in
attack, almost had James Baker away, but the cover was good and the ball was
lost in the tackle. However,
Manchester knocked on in trying to clear and Lions had an ideal attacking
scrum. There were all sorts of
options…..a back row move, pushover…..so which option do Lions take?? They decide to bore in as the scrum is being set and concede
a free kick……criminal or wot!?!?!
Manchester
cleared their lines and quickly established an attacking position as Lions
were penalised for illegally stopping a powerful Manchester maul.
Marcus Barrow converted the simple kick. ( 9 – 8 ).
It was
cut and thrust now, but as half time approached, Manchester started to turn
the screw. Surely Lions
wouldn’t concede their customary try on the stroke of half time!?!?!
Ofcourse they would!! A
series of penalties and attacking line-outs had Lions defending desperately.
When Manchester were awarded an attacking scrum, Lions seemed
powerless to prevent a score from a big push, but illegal play forced
referee Alan Biggs to award a penalty try under the posts that Marcus Barrow
easily converted as the whistle went for half time.
Half
time
Lions
9
Manchester 15
Lions
desperately needed an early score, but everything they threw at Manchester
was easily soaked up by a resolute defence.
Rob Hurrell was again in fine form as he started to win some good
possession for Lions. A good
chip and chase by James Baker, another player to enhance his reputation, set
up an attacking Lions’ line-out. Manchester
were penalised 3 times in quick succession as they defended several Lions’
drives. Eventually referee Alan
Biggs said enough was enough and showed a yellow card to Manchester lock
David Jessiman for illegal rucking.
Unfortunately
Lions could not capitalise on the immediate situation as their cumbersome
attack made little inroads into a determined Manchester defence. Lions should now have been pressing home their one man
advantage, but it was Manchester who looked anything but a man short as they
drove Lions back fully 30 metres with a well executed rolling maul.
A rare
incursion into Lions’ territory saw centre Craig Cooper stopped by a
desperate cover, but Dave Muckalt was on hand to brush aside some
ineffective Lions’ tackling to reach over and score.
Marcus Barrow pulled the simple conversion wide.
( 9 – 20 ).
Lions
now needed to rally, and the powers that be decided fresh legs were
required. So we take off our
most effective lock, Rob Hurrell……..why???????
Another silly penalty against Lions for joining the line late gave
Manchester the chance to gain some respite, as Lions made wholesale changes
in an attempt to gee up a flagging performance.
Props Richard Moore and Phil Greenbury were replaced by Glen Carson
and Richard List, Ben Smith replaced the anonymous Ben Wheeler, and Sam Cole
came onto the wing in place of James Black.
A
sweeping Lions’ move soon reaped dividends as James Baker cut in from his
wing to take a well timed inside pass to race over.
Jason Critchley missed the conversion.
( 14 - 20 ).
Lions
were looking a little more purposeful now as Stewart Potter took the ball at
pace to almost punch a hole. Lions
old failings were all too evident as players became isolated in the tackle
to surrender possession to Manchester, despite the best attempts of Tristan
Prosser-Shaw who turned in a good second half performance.
It was
from one such turnover that Manchester attacked down the right, and as the
cover snuffed out the danger, the ball was swung crossfield for wing Martin
Worthington to cut inside three would be tacklers to score by the posts. Marcus Barrow slotted the simple conversion.
( 14 – 27 ).
Lions
now needed 2 scores with time running out, but a lack of application and the
inevitable turnovers allowed Manchester to retain possession to the final
whistle.
| Final
result:
Lions
14
Manchester 27 |
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mmm
Lions
are now firmly rooted at the foot of National Division 2 on equal
points……sorry, point…..with Moseley who only managed to scrape a team
together just before the start of the season when they were saved from
extinction. So what is going
wrong?
We
have always tried to keep a positive approach to the Club on this site, but
I’m afraid that today’s performance cannot pass without criticism.
I make no apologies if what I am about to say offends anyone.
As
we have said following previous matches, Lions look a totally disorganised
outfit with no game plan. We
were promised that things would improve as the squad got used to each other,
but instead we look to be going backwards as the team turned in their worst
performance of the season.
The
forwards look in total disarray. The
line-out is a shambles, despite the best endeavours of the excellent Robbie
Hurrell. Today we were marched back fully thirty metres by a 7 man
Manchester pack, and could do nothing in response when given attacking
opportunities. It appears that
application and passion are absent in equal measures.
The
on field coaching and off field management is simply not working.
Things are not going well on the field, so what do we do?
We replace our most effective forward Robbie Hurrell.
Given the choice of which lock to replace, I think Robbie would have
been my second choice.
Despite
losing, we have scored some good tries in previous games, but today we just
did not seem to have any idea of how to break down a stubborn Manchester
defence……apart from once!! We
totally lack any sort of penetration and lines of running to vary the angle
of attack are conspicuous by their absence.
Too often we see both forwards and backs taking the ball standing
still. Whatever happened to
taking the ball at pace?? We did it once today, and Stewart Potter made yards……but
sadly this seemed to take the rest of the team by surprise as he was left
totally isolated and possession was lost.
How
many times did we see people being left in the same position today?
Too many to mention. When
Lions move the ball wide they look dangerous, especially with the speedy
James Baker on the wing. However,
we inevitably seem to end up with players isolated that results in the
inevitable turnover or penalty for not releasing.
Could it be that the forwards are simply not fit enough to keep pace?
Then
ofcourse we have the old failings of kicking possession away and giving
silly penalties and free kicks. Schoolboy
stuff, but we seem incapable of learning…..or perhaps we do not have the
right teachers.
So
where do we go from here? Sadly
there does not seem to be anywhere to go but down.
On today’s performance we have to accept that we are just not good
enough for this Division. Despite
spending money on players, they are simply not performing.
If we are not careful, we will not only find ourselves being
relegated, but could also find the club in a cash crisis.
We could well emulate West Hartlepool and find ourselves heading for
oblivion in the junior ranks.
So
what is to be done? Management
and coaches need to take a long hard look at the situation.
Many people believe that money would be better spent on a good
Director of Rugby and a top class Director of Coaching.
We should then get together a team of players who WANT to play for
Lions. It was good to see so
many ex-Lions in the Clubhouse today who are no longer with the Club.
They obviously still have an affinity with the Lions.
We can all name other players who have given their all for the club,
and would probably do so again……if the set up was right.
At the moment it obviously isn’t.
If
we don’t accept the inevitable now and start to muster a team together who
will more than hold their own in Division 2 when the inevitable happens at
the end of the season, we will be left with no team, no money, and no
future.
It
was sad to hear ardent supporters in the Clubhouse after today’s game
saying that they will not be spending good money travelling to away games to
watch the shambles we have seen today. I’m not saying I have all the
answers and it is easy to criticise. However,
it is obvious that things are not right at the Club and changes are
desperately needed……and the sooner the better.
What
do you think? Let’s hear your
views on the Message
Board.
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