|
It
was sad that this was Lloyd Warner’s last game for Lions before he returns
to Wales, and it was even sadder that Lions did not put in the performance
to give him the send off that he deserves. Lions were up against an Esher
side that had won 4 of its last 5 games, and which proved to be too
powerful, too quick and too well organised for a disappointing Lions.
Lions
started with Scott Read and Neil Mitchell in the centre, with Pete Roberts
on the wing in place of the unlucky Gareth Collins. Lloyd Warner started
on the bench alongside Phil Reed.
Lions
started where they left off against Nottingham last week………battering away
against a resolute defence, but unable to find a way through. Instead,
from a turnover in their own 22, the Esher scrum half broke blind and a
delivered a deft kick behind the Lions’ defence. Speedy wing Nash Shumba,
who is built like the proverbial brick outhouse, was first to the ball and
hacked to the try line, but failed to gather cleanly as he tried to pick
up and dive over.
There
was little respite for Lions as they knocked on trying to clear from the
resultant scrum with Esher pushing them back with ease. Worse was to come
as a simple crossfield move left wing Piers Gregory with a simple run in
for the opening score. Jon Gregory’s touchline conversion hit the bar and
bounced out. ( 0 – 5 )
|
Good work by Steve Smith at the back of a rapidly
retreating scrum allowed Jon Boden to clear with a lovely kick. When
Esher were penalised, Jon Boden then had the opportunity to put Lions
on the board with a straightforward kick from 30 metres, but he pushed
his kick wide.
Another penalty followed as a sweeping Lions move was
ended illegally, and this time the kick was planted in the corner.
Dave Campton rose majestically to take the catch and when the drive
was held, the ball was spun crossfield. Spencer Brown almost found a
way through, then Toby Handley was held a metre short, but Steve Smith
made no mistake when the ball was recycled as he crashed over under
the posts. Jon Boden’s conversion put Lions ahead. ( 7 – 5 ) |
 |
| |
Esher
fly half Luke Smith was replaced by Toby Clouston and he made an immediate
impact, taking an inside pass to crash through some ineffectual tackling
for a simple try. Jon Gregory added the conversion. ( 7 – 12 )
Lions
soon reduced the arrears as Esher were penalised for not rolling away from
the tackle as Lions drove in, and Jon Boden duly converted. ( 10 – 12 )
However, Esher immediately showed their power as their forwards gained the
hard yards with some good pick up and driving. When the ball was
released, excellent support play saw the flying outhouse Nash Shumba on
hand to take the final pass and cross by the posts. Jon Gregory added the
conversion. ( 10 – 19 )
Lions
were soon back on the attack, and several penalties saw Lions with an
attacking lineout. However, again Lions just did not have the attacking
edge to find the gap. Esher then looked dangerous with a good driving
maul, and when Lions were penalised, Jon Gregory made no mistake with his
kick. ( 10 – 22 )
Lions
defended well against a sustained Esher attack, until a wayward pass
allowed Dave Campton to snap up the loose ball and race to half way. When
Esher were penalised, Toby Handley took a quick tap to outwit the Esher
defence and chip over the last man. The scrum half was first to the
bouncing ball to pick up and dive over for a fine individual score. Jon
Boden added the conversion to put Lions back within touching distance. (
17 – 22 )
Deep
into injury time, Esher were penalised for holding on in the tackle, and
the kick was despatched to the corner. Dave Campton took the catch, but
when the ball was released, Jon Boden’s drop goal attempt barely got off
the ground.
Half time
Lions 17 Esher 22
Any
thoughts that Lions had of mounting a comeback were quickly dispelled, as
Esher mounted an attack from the kick off started by the ever dangerous
Nash Shumba. A blatant forward pass was missed as Esher were held up over
the line, but when the ball was moved wide, good hands gave Jon Gregory
room to dive over in the clubhouse corner. His conversion attempt flew
wide. ( 17 – 27)
Another missed forward pass saw Esher driving to the Lions’ 22, but a big
hit by Jon Boden halted things and secured a turnover. Unfortunately, the
touch judge’s intervention saw Matt Davies penalised, and Jon Gregory
added the 3 points. ( 17 – 30 )
Handling errors lost Lions good attacking positions, then Toby Handley did
well to tidy up an Esher kick through. When Lions were penalised, Matt
Davies was yellow carded for preventing a quick tap. With Eddie Simkiss
on for Steve Smith, Lions had to replace Alex Nash with Simon Black to
complete the front row.
A
sweeping move by Lions saw Spencer Brown cutting through, but the wing
lost his footing as he cut inside with the corner beckoning and he was
held a metre short. However, the referee brought play back for a penalty
to Lions for offside under the posts, and Jon Boden easily converted. (
20 – 30 )
Phil
Reed came on in place of Pete Roberts as Lions looked to claw their way
back into the game. Unfortunately it was Esher who were looking the more
dangerous attacking force as the Lions’ defence was sorely tested.
Matt
Davies returned to the fray along with Alex Nash as Simon Black reverted
to the bench. Lions’ 14 men had done well to keep Esher scoreless during
the 10 minute period, whilst adding a penalty to their own tally.
However, Lions’ return to full strength seemed to galvanise Esher as they
enjoyed a long spell of pressure. The break had to come, and it came in
the shape of Jon Gregory who found space on the right before delivering an
inside pass. Several passes later saw Paddy Seymour forcing his way over
by the posts. Jon Gregory added the conversion and the game was almost
over. ( 20 – 37 )
|
Or was it?? In a last throw of the dice, Lions brought on Simon Black
for Rhidian Booth, and the ever popular Lloyd Warner for Scott Read.
A quick tap at a penalty by Simon Black saw Matt Davies and Jon Boden
combine to almost break through, but when the ball was swung
crossfield, Phil Reed knocked on trying to take a difficult pass when
a score was there for the taking.
At least Lions had the last laugh……….well, more a chuckle in the
circumstances. Sustained Lions’ pressure eventually brought a close
range try for Matt Davies that was converted by Jon Boden. ( 27 – 37
)
Then deep in stoppage time, good hands saw Alex Nash race 40 metres to
dive over in the corner. Jon Boden’s missed conversion signalled the
end of a disappointing game for Lions.
Final result:
Lions 32 Esher 37 |
 |
| |
 |
Don's musings
This
was a game that Lions desperately wanted to win to pull themselves clear
of the relegation zone. Instead they found themselves up against an in
form Esher outfit that simply had too much fire power. Lions could not be
faulted on effort, but coaches Buck Shelford and Brett Taylor need to sort
things out pdq. The Newbury game will be just as tough as today’s, and
Lions need to hone their attacking options if they are to take the much
needed 2 points.
It is
a dreadful shame that Lions are losing their most potent attacking force
in Lloyd Warner. He has quickly established himself as a firm favourite
in the Shed with his eye for a gap and his incisive running. We wish both
him and his father well. Thanks for the memories, Lloyd.
So
where do Lions go from here? The next few weeks are critical with games
against opposition sitting just below Lions in the league. A win at
Newbury would be a good start, then Lions need to consolidate this with
wins against Rosslyn Park and Lydney. Unfortunately other teams seem to
be running into form at just the wrong time, and Lions must establish a
solid forward platform and an incisive set of backs………and quickly.
|
