Lions made hard work of defeating Jacques Steyn’s Division 3 Barking side, but in the words of the old adage…….a win’s a win!!  This was the first victory that the Lions’ faithful had seen at Webb Ellis Road for over 12 months, but the performance was not a convincing one. 

Lions started with new signing Spencer Brown taking his place on the wing, and a couple of “guests” in the back 5 of the pack.  Pete Roberts and “Pig” Brittin also put in their first appearances of the season. 

Spencer Brown was soon in action, first reacting well to collect a chip through, and then taking a high ball under pressure.  The first exchanges were all Barking……the only time Lions set foot in the opposition half was from the kick off.  Barking were enjoying a good spell of possession, but it took 10 minutes before they put points on the board against a dogged Lions’ defence. 

A powerful forward drive from the well-organised Barking 8 took play 20 metres to within spitting distance of the Lions’ line.  When the drive was held, the Barking scrum half picked up from the base of the ensuing scrum and managed to wriggle his way over close to the posts.  Jacques Steyn added the conversion.  ( 0 – 7 ). 

Lions were struggling for clean possession from either lineouts or scrums, but when the ball was eventually won, Lions mounted an assault on the Barking line that resulted in several penalties as each drive was stopped.  Each time Lions tapped the ball to the corner, but despite some good work in the line from young Joel Stannard, Lions could not find a way through.   

The first quarter of the game ended with Lions camped on the Barking line, but unfortunately the second quarter started with a kick off from half way, so all the Lions’ pressure came to nought. 

Lions brought on several replacements for the second quarter, and they certainly had the desired effect as there was much more purpose about the play as Lions took the initiative.  This was short-lived as Barking weathered the storm, then drove back up field to earn a penalty 22 metres out.  Barking surprisingly went for goal, but Jacques Steyn pushed his kick wide. 

With more possession, the Lions’ backs were getting into the game, and a lovely break by Pete Roberts needed some desperate cover from Barking to prevent a score.  However, the Barking pack was still dominating the set pieces, where Lions looked distinctly uncomfortable as they were constantly wheeled to deny any quality possession. 

The second quarter ended on a high for Lions, as for once the Barking back row made a mess of things from a scrum on Lions’ 22 metre line, and Alex Taylor was on hand to intercept and race clear.  Jon Boden was in support to take the pass on halfway and outpace the defence to score under the posts.  Lloyd Warner added the simple conversion to bring Lions level. 

Half Time:

 Lions    7          Barking     7

Lions retained most of the team from the first half, and were soon in full flow as a lovely pass from Jon Boden put Alex Taylor through the gap.  Pete Roberts was in support, but Barking were back in numbers and the final pass couldn’t find its man. 

It was now Lions’ turn to enjoy a spell of pressure, but the gaps just wouldn’t appear in the Barking defence.  Instead, it was Barking who regained the lead with an excellent try in the corner.  The forwards paved the way with some powerful driving that sucked in the Lions’ defence.  The ball was moved left, and then back right again to leave space for the run in.  The touchline conversion was wide.  ( 7 – 12 ). 

Pete Roberts was to the fore again with another good break, but again the move broke down and another opportunity was lost.  However, Lions drove in again, and when Alex Taylor was stopped by a high tackle, the resultant penalty was tapped and the forwards drove over by the posts.  Jon Boden added the conversion to put Lions in front for the first time.  ( 14 – 12 ). 

A half break by Pete Roberts saw Lloyd Warner on his shoulder at pace to accept a lovely slip pass.  The full back made ground before handing on to Kiyoto “Dave” Inouye with space to move.  A Japanese TV crew had been shadowing Dave at Bedford and again today.  Was this the moment they had been waiting for??  Sadly not.  Dave feinted inside then took the outside to the corner, but the full back was just quick enough to stop the winger in the corner.  Dave’s anguish was there for all to see……not something that should be shown on Japanese TV before the 9.00pm watershed. 

A despondent Dave was replaced by Gareth Collins, and the young wing was soon in the thick of things.  A good Barking spell ended with a knock on, and when the ball was moved right, young Gareth took it with 40 metres to go.  Now Gareth is not a big lad, but he showed he has a big heart as he went outside his opponent, pushing him off before pinning his ears back to outpace the cover to the corner and run in behind the posts for an excellent try.  Jon Boden added the simple conversion.  ( 21 – 12 ). 

The young winger looked to be heading for his second try as he intercepted a wayward Barking pass on half way and raced clear.  However, the referee brought him back for an earlier infringement against Lions. 

The referee’s whistle ended the contest, much to the relief of the Sheddites who were steeling themselves for the Barking onslaught that would have brought them 2 tries in the last 2 minutes to deny Lions a victory!!  Joy of joys, it didn’t happen, and Lions had recorded their first win for over 12 months!! 

Final result: 

Lions    21         Barking   12

Don's musings

There were some positives from this game, but there were some worrying aspects as well. 

The positives were the backs, although they still have a tendency to lie too flat and not take the ball at pace.  However, the gaps were made today, although not all of the breaks resulted in scores, but this will improve as the players get to know each other better.   

Jon Boden is looking good at fly half, but his half back partner is more of an issue.  Wimpie Jonker looks to be in the driving seat, but Elliot Blundell and Sam Rees are pushing hard.  Alex Taylor and Pete Roberts look as though they could forge a formidable midfield partnership, with Spencer Brown and Gareth Collins providing pace out wide. 

Lloyd Warner looks assured at fullback, and has an eye for the gap.  Far be it from me to pick the team, but that set up looks very promising…….and there are still players like Sam Stoop and “Dave” Inouye pushing hard for places. 

Unfortunately the pack is a different story.  “Woe, woe, and thrice times woe” was heard from the Shed Soothsayer several times today as the scrum was all over the place, and lineout possession was patchy.  Chris Jones will make a big difference to securing lineout possession (he was unavailable for this game), but the scrum needs major surgery  This is difficult to understand as against the bigger packs of Bedford and Bees, the Lions 8 had looked solid.  However today the scrum was wheeled at will. 

Judgie certainly has his work cut out to finalise his starting pack, and I wouldn’t like to even start to speculate who might be there.  Having said that, Chris Jones is a must, and a fit Steve Smith would figure in anyone’s pack.  It was good to see Steve play at number 8 for three quarters of today’s game, and let’s hope that he can throw off the after effects of flu over the next 2 weeks. 

Unfortunate injuries to Glen Carson and Matt Davies probably mean that neither will be in contention for the opening game at Bracknell, but Judgie could still perm a number of combinations for the front row.  Young Steve Stewart might be fit to partner Chris Jones in the second row, but if not, Lions have an issue!!  A number of people have performed admirably at lock, including young Joel Stannard today, but none of them are specialists in that position.  An option would be to play Steve Smith at lock, but this would obviously remove his potentially lethal contribution from number 8. 

The flankers are completely up for grabs, with no one really catching the eye in the trials. 

So…….2 weeks for Judgie to sort things out before we hit the league road at Bracknell.  Let’s hope that he can weave some magic in the pack to ensure that our backs can secure enough quality possession for them to fulfil their potential……..otherwise it’s going to be another long, hard season.