|
The
Lions faithful turned out looking for some signs of improvement over recent
performances due to the influence of new coach “Judge” Rendall, and they
certainly got it in no short measure. After
conceding 4 first half tries, Lions turned in a second half performance full
of guts and determination to prevent high-flying Rotherham from scoring
another point……and not many teams have managed that!!
With
several players injured, suspended, or not available, Lions fielded a side
with a number of people out of position.
Centre Alex Taylor started on the wing, with Sam Cole filling the
other flank. Phil Reed was at
scrum half for the unavailable Aadel Kardooni, but it was in the pack where
the real changes were made. Richard
List was at hooker, with Stomper Stannard at lock alongside Tom Hayman who
was returning from injury. Ben
Wheeler took over at number 8, with Ben Smith and Tristan Prosser-Shaw at
wing forward.
The
game got off to an explosive start following the opening exchanges, with
Lions’ full back Matt Vines and Roth prop Simon Bunting receiving yellow
cards for a bout of fisticuffs. Roth
were soon on the scoreboard as Lions were caught offside in front of their
posts, and Jon Benson made no mistake from 35 metres.
( 0 – 3 ).
It
was all Roth, and Dan Cook set up the position for the opening try as he
burst through from the centre position to give wing Michael Wood the room to
stand his man up and go round him to score by the posts.
Jon Benson added the simple conversion.
( 0 – 10 ).
Roth
were dominating possession, and an ominous rolling maul had Lions on the
back foot. However, Roth were
penalised 40 metres out, but Jon Boden’s kick drifted just wide.
Lions
were being put under all sorts of pressure, but the defence was looking
strong. It was lock Leon Greef
who emulated his engine room partner by lurking out wide, and powering
through. The Roth locks were
spending almost as much time in the centre as Guy Manson-Bishop!!
Jacques Steyn hauled the big man down with an excellent tackle, but
the ball was slipped to the supporting Michael Wood who evaded the last line
of defence to touch down. Jon
Benson was again on target with the conversion.
( 0 – 17 ).
20
minutes gone and Lions had seen very little possession, but Roth were not
having things all their own way in the face of some “in your face”
Lions’ tackling. When Lions
did secure possession, the backs looked far more assured than they have done
all season. However, it was
Roth who scored again as the forwards exerted more pressure.
As the ball was released, lovely sleight of hand from Mike Umaga saw
that man Michael Wood (so good they named a service centre on the M5 after
him) on a loop move that had him through the gap and under the posts.
Another simple conversion for Jon Benson, and with half an hour gone,
Roth were very firmly in the driving seat.
( 0 – 24 ).
|
|
| Despite
the scoreline, Roth were not finding things easy against some
determined Lions’ defending, typified by a thumping Phil Reed
tackle that smashed James Craig into touch as Roth tried to create
space out wide.
|
The
next ten minutes saw Lions firmly camped on their own line, but no quarter
was given as they repelled wave after wave of Roth attacks.
On the stroke of half time, Lions were penalised, and the kick was
despatched to the corner. The
take was good, and the drive unstoppable, as hooker Chris Johnson dived over
to earn Roth their bonus point for scoring 4 tries.
Jon Benson tagged on the conversion to leave Roth very firmly in
control as the referee blew for half time.
Half
time
Lions
0
Rotherham 31
At
this point most Lions’ supporters would have settled for another 30 points
in the second half, but little did they suspect of what was to come.
Roth replaced Simon Bunting, who was lucky to stay on the field in
the first half after a cynical knee in the back of a prone Lions’ player,
with Colin Noon.
Lions
came out firing on all cylinders, and more ferocious tackling knocked Roth
back, causing them to spill possession.
Unfortunately Lions could not capitalise on the resultant scrum as
Roth successfully wheeled to gain the put in.
A
scrappy passage of play ensued with Lions knocking Roth out of their stride
and forcing errors, but being unable to capitalise as Roth dominated the
scrums. Lions were now starting
to get into the game and secure more possession, but there was no way
through a resolute Rotherham defence. Mike
Umaga almost burst through for Roth, but the Lions cover was in no mood to
concede points, and the pressure was cleared as Roth were again penalised.
Jaques
Steyn limped off to be replaced by Alex Williams who went on to the wing
with Alex Taylor reverting to centre. Roth
took the opportunity to replace Chris Johnson and Alfie Tooala with Harry
Toews and Howard Parr, no doubt with one eye on next week’s crucial clash
against Worcester.
Scrum
half Charlie Harrison was next to test the Lions’ defence with a darting
break, but again, Lions were equal to the task and solid tackling forced the
turnover and the Shed breathed one more collective sigh of relief.
Still
Roth sustained the pressure and when Lions were penalised for pulling a maul
down in the corner, Jon Benson shaped up to tap the ball to touch.
However, tap it is exactly what he did, and Lions were able to take
the ball and clear.
Roth
were now starting to get rattled in the face of some superb tackling by
Lions, and a succession of penalties allowed Lions to keep clearing their
line. Roth brought on more
fresh legs as old favourite David Scully replaced Charlie Harrison and Neil
Spence took over from Russell Earnshaw.
However, it was Lions who seemed to step up a gear as they finally
started to win some good line-out ball and exert some pressure on the Roth
line. A series of forward
drives were held up under the posts, and as the ball was moved wide it was
spilled forward to give Roth some respite.
More
replacements followed, with Roth’s Stuart Dixon coming on for James Craig,
and Lions’ Simon Black and Matt Hunter replacing Glen Carson and Tom
Hayman. This did not disrupt
Lions tackling machine in the slightest, as Roth moved forward, determined
to score as full time approached. But
Lions were in no mood to concede any points at all, and Tristan Prosser-Shaw
marshalled his troops magnificently to repel one last onslaught.
Concerted
forward pressure looked as though Lions must succumb, but another Herculean
effort by kept their line intact. With
a last throw of the die, Roth resorted to a grubber kick to the line, but
the ever reliable Matt Vines shepherded the ball dead as the referee
signalled the end of the finest rearguard action since Rorkes’ Drift.
| Final
result:
Lions
0
Rotherham 31
|
 |
| They
shall not pass |
Don's
musings
This
was a superb defensive performance by Lions with every single team member
playing their part. So what was
different today?? Simply the
whole team looked totally organised and every single man played for his team
mates and was fully committed to the cause.
The line out started to work, players were quick to the breakdown,
and the penalty count was well down on previous weeks.
Judge Rendall should be proud of his charges this week……the
supporters certainly are.
Now
the hard work starts. Lions
have to build on this performance ready for Birmingham Solihull next week.
This will be another very hard game.
However, if Lions continue to improve and show the same passion and
organisation as tonight, then it should be a battle royal.
Lions should certainly go into the game in a positive frame of
mind……and who knows what might happen!!
|
