When Lions’ did eventually gain possession from a wayward Wakey kick, there was a sign of things to come as James Baker made a lovely touchline run with little room to manoeuvre.  This was followed by a half break from Jason Critchley that almost had the supporting Steve Smith in the clear.  Despite all of Wakey’s early pressure, it was Lions that had the next opportunity to score, but Jon Boden’s 40 metres penalty into a stiff breeze fell just short. 

However, Lions did notch the first points on the board, as the Critchley / Smith partnership worked the opening for Tristan Prosser-Shaw to take the scoring pass and charge over from 22 metres.  Jon Boden’s conversion was wide.  ( 5 – 0 ). 

Field’s reply was immediate as they took possession from the restart and Glenn Wilson’s bullocking run set up the position for back row John Skurr to brush aside some weak tackling for a very preventable try under the posts.  Casey Mee added the simple conversion. ( 5 – 7 ). 

Wakey soon extended their lead when a quick tap from a penalty made deep incursions into Lions’ territory, and another penalty saw a lineout 15 metres from Lions’ line.  The take was good and the drive too strong for Lions, with Glenn Wilson emerging from the pile of forwards on the line to claim the try.  This time Casey Mee pulled his conversion wide.  ( 5 – 12 ). 

The dose was repeated  5 minutes later as another big forward drive from Field set up the position for Derek Jelley to crash over.  Casey Mee’s conversion extended the lead, and the signs were not looking good for Lions.  ( 5 – 19 ). 

With only pride to play for now that relegation is inevitable, Lions could have crumbled at this point.  Instead they girded their loins (not a pretty site!!), and set about the task of pegging Wakey back.  Lions’ were unable to get any real momentum going against a spoiling Wakey, who slowed the game down at every opportunity, and gave a string of penalties away as Rodders’ keen eye spotted several offside offences. 

Despite this, Lions were enjoying a good spell of possession, and when several good phases of play sucked in the Wakey tacklers, quick ball to the left saw James Baker pop up on the “wrong” wing to cut inside and take a reverse pass at speed.  There were 22 metres to go, but the speedy winger just had enough pace and power to reach out through the last desperate tackle to touch down.  Jon Boden’s conversion brought Lions back within touching distance.( 12 – 19 ).   

Wakey were caught offside……again!!……was your yellow card in the wash Rodders??  However, it was a penalty against Lions that saw Casey Mee extend Field’s lead.  The penalty appeared to be given on the right touchline as Wakey’s forwards drove in again, but after playing a loooooong advantage, Rodders gave the penalty under the posts!!! ( 12 – 22 )

Half time 

Lions   12          Wakefield   29

Lions took to the field for the second half with Simon Black replacing Richard List.  I don’t know what was in the tea at half time, but with the wind behind them, Lions soon showed that they were not prepared to let Wakey have things all their own way. 

A typical strong run by Steve Smith paved the way, and when the ball was moved right, James Baker took it with seemingly nowhere to go.  However, like a mongoose charming a Cobra, James mesmerised the Wakey defence and somehow skipped round several would be tacklers to score a magnificent try in the corner.  Jon Boden capped it with a superb touchline conversion.  ( 19 – 29 ). 

Lions were looking far more purposeful, and excellent support play took them deep into Wakey territory where they won the put in at a scrum 15 metres out.  For once the Lions’ scrum was rock solid, and as the ball was moved infield, a planned move almost had James Baker through.  As he was held by the last line of defence, he slipped a lovely pass to James Critchley on his shoulder, for the centre to cross under the posts.  Jon Boden added the conversion, and Lions were right back in it!!  ( 26 – 29 ). 

Lions were now on a roll, and more penalties against Wakey gave Jon Boden a kickable opportunity from 40 metres.  His kick was struck beautifully, and Lions were back on level terms……….game on!!!!  ( 29 – 29 ). 

Wakey were stung into action, and a high crossfield kick was held up in the breeze for them to regain possession.  Rodders earned the wrath of the Lions’ supporters, bench, and players as he penalised them for not releasing, when there appeared to be a Wakey man lying on the wrong side.  Rodders was not impressed with Lions’ protestations, and promptly marched them back another 10 metres.  This gave Casey Mee the opportunity to restore Wakey’s lead, and he made no mistake.  (29 – 32 ). 

A clever switch kick from Jon Boden at the restart almost had James Baker away, but Wakey just managed to gain possession.  Ferocious Lions’ tackling drove Wakey back 20 metres and eventually forced the knock on for a scrum.  Unfortunately, this was one area of the game where Lions were distinctly second best, and Wakey were able to disrupt Lions’ put in and regain possession.  Again the Wakey forwards drove deep into Lions’ territory, and again a line-out close to Lions’ line saw a good take and again the Wakey forwards were too powerful as they forced their way over.  Boring……but very effective!!  A good Casey Mee conversion saw Wakey firmly back in the driving seat.  ( 29 – 39 ). 

Lions managed to gain possession from the kick off, but somehow managed to give Wakey the ball in the maul.  A quick break down the short side saw Wakey with men to spare, and it looked as though they would score from a turnover, just as they had done in the first half.  Luckily for Lions the final pass went astray.  

Wakey replaced Mick Watson with John Pettemerides (obviously an anagram…….but we’ve done that one before!!), with Steve Worsley and Mark Sowerby taking over from John Lawn and John Skurr.  Lions took the opportunity to bring on Ben Harvey for the excellent Ben Wheeler, with Stuart Potter replacing Jason Critchley. 

Lions’ were not going to give up without a fight, and another Jon Boden penalty gave them a line out 15 metres from the Wakey line.  Rob Hurrell took the catch, but a Wakey forward tried to stop the drive and found himself under the boots of the driving Lions’ pack.  Unfortunately Rodders felt that Lions were a little bit too robust in removing the offender from the maul, and awarded the penalty to Wakey. 

Lions were soon back on the attack following the inevitable penalty against Wakey, but when the ball was moved wide from the line-out, there was a touch of desperation in the handling as full time approached, and a knock on allowed Wakey to clear. 

With Ben Smith on for Jimmy Fornoni, another brilliant James Baker break as he took the ball at full speed in midfield deserved a try, but with a man inside, James opted to go round the full back……..and he almost made it!!  However, Ryan Duckett just managed to grab a hold of James’ ankle and the chance was gone. 

Lions were pressing hard again, and another cynical offside in front of the posts by Wakey slowed the pace of the game.  With Alex Taylor receiving treatment, Lions brought on Paul Bale to replace him, with young Gareth Collins moving to centre.  In a last throw of the dice, Lions moved the ball wide, but possession was lost, and it appeared that Lions’ last chance had gone. 

However, Rodders had other ideas, and as Lions regained possession and drove in again, the ball was moved left with men to spare.  It looked as though Lions made a mess of things and the opportunity was lost, but for some reason Rodders awarded a penalty try!!  This seemed somewhat harsh, but perhaps was just reward for Wakey’s spoiling tactics.  Jon Boden added the conversion as Rodders blew for full time. 

Final result: 

Lions   36          Wakefield   39

Don's musings 

Another good performance from Lions, and another agonisingly close defeat 

Young Gareth Collins settled well on the wing after his initial inevitable nerves, and on the other wing James Baker was a revelation.  With “electric” Eddie Saunders now seemingly retired, the Shed are looking for a new favourite, and “ballistic” Baker looks to fit the bill to a tee.  He has blistering pace, power and superb balance.  Coupled with the lines of running that he is now adopting he is becoming an extremely potent attacking force.  What a pity he was sidelined for such a lengthy period with injury……but then, this has been an “if only…..” season in so many respects 

James is just the sort of player that we need to retain as we regroup in Division 2 next season.  I have seen words about checking out loan players from Leicester and Wasps.  If this is managed properly, then players can add considerably to the team effort.  Ben Wheeler is a typical case in point.  He committed himself “long term” to Lions at the beginning of the season and has given his heart and soul to Lions, becoming a true “club” man.  He has certainly earned the right to call himself a Lion, as well as a Tiger. 

However, what we don’t want is players on short-term loan who drift in and out of the side.  Good as the players might be, this does nothing for the team effort or morale.  We need to build a team in the close season that the Judge can work with so that we hit the ground running and don’t stop until the end of the season when we have won promotion back to Division 1.  We need to build a side where the players will work for each other, where the desire to win reflects the pride felt in pulling on a Lions’ jersey. 

All we need then is the management structure to support it!!