After the “social” at Preston (and Blackpool) on Saturday, it was back to the office with a vengeance this evening as Lions tackled a strong Pertemps Bees outfit……Birmingham & Solihull as was.  Amazing what people will do for money!!  I dare say that we would have changed our name to Elizabeth the Chef Lions if pushed…….almost as strange as Pertemps Bees.  What is a pertemps bee anyway……..Is it some strain related to the honey variety……it’s certainly one that I’m not familiar with.   

As against Bedford, Lions looked a much smaller and lighter outfit than their opponents…..…which was probably because Bees were a much bigger and heavier outfit than Lions!!  Bees started strongly and scored 3 tries in the first 20 minutes, despite some strong defence from Lions.  Again, Lions problem was lack of possession, despite some excellent line-out work by Chris Jones. 

However, when Lions did get some meaningful possession, they scored a tremendous try, started by some good driving play by the forwards that sucked in the Bees’ defence.  As the ball was moved wide, good hands gave Sam Stoop the opportunity to join the line and create some room for Gareth Collins on the wing.  The youngster made good ground, and as the cover came across, Gareth found Chris Jones in support, and the lock’s giant strides made light work of the last 15 metres for a well worked score.  John Boden’s touchline conversion slid just wide. 

So after 24 minutes, Lions were 5 – 19 down, but another score quickly followed.  Bees’ big forwards were exerting strong pressure, and when a penalty was tapped to the corner, the take and drive looked as though it would bring a score.  But the Lions’ pack had other ideas, and some determined defence forced a penalty to allow a Jon Boden boomer to clear to the Bees’ half.   

A tremendous drive by the Lions’ pack forced another penalty, which Jon Boden tapped to the corner.  The inevitable Chris Jones’ catch was supported by an excellent drive to claim another score……..we think it was Matty Davies.  Again Jon Boden’s touchline conversion was agonisingly close, but this time it came back off a post. 

Half time 

Lions    10         Pertemps Bees    19

Bees were stung into action for the second half and brought on the even heavier mob.  Lions just could not cope with the extra size and speed, and Bees ran in 4 more tries against a never-say-die Lions’ defence.  Lions did manage a good spell of pressure over the last five minutes, but were unable to convert this into points. 

Final result: 

Lions    10         Pertemps Bees    41

Don musings 

So, 3 trial games played, and 3 games lost.  Should we be worried??  It’s too early to start forecasting doom and gloom.  There looks to be a good spirit in the squad, and the Judge seems to be licking the forwards into shape.  The backs look as though they can more than hold their own, given a decent supply of ball. 

What was evident tonight, as at Preston, is that we look very lightweight in the front 5.  We need a big, tough (and preferably nasty!!) second row to share the burden with Chris Jones, plus a solid tight head……..although that was something we lacked all last season.  If we can get these in place for the Bracknell game on the 6^th September, then we should be in with a shout. 

Saturday will be interesting as we take on Jacques Steyn and his Barking team from Division 3 South.  The Judge must be formulating his preferred starting 15 by now, and it will be interesting to see the permutations played.  We should certainly be looking to win more possession, and it will be interesting to see how the backs perform.  There certainly looks to be enough talent to to some damage.  A win will set things up nicely for Bracknell.