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Lions turned in a gutsy performance to register a deserved victory in an
entertaining end-to-end match. With both sides scoring 4 tries, Terry
Rahui’s goal kicking proved decisive as he landed 3 penalties and 3
conversions in blustery conditions. Lions built up a 20 – 8 lead at half
time playing with a stiff breeze at their backs. They then just kept
their noses in front during a nail biting second period when the game
could have gone either way. Each time Gate threatened the Lions’ lead,
Buck’s boys dug deep to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Alan Mitchell started at full back, with Brendan McIlraith coming in to
partner Jon Boden in the centre. Pete Roberts was on the wing in place of
Gareth Collins. Simon Black and Glen Carson took their places in the
front row, with Phil Skillen continuing for the unlucky Alex Nash who is
out for the rest of the season with a broken collar bone.
Lions got off to their now usual disastrous start as the kick off was
dropped in the swirling breeze, then a penalty was conceded in front of
the posts. Lee Cholewa got the scoreboard ticking over with the simple
kick. ( 3 – 0 )
Lions were taking time to settle, and they almost fell further behind as
the impressive Oliver Cook broke through some weak tackling in midfield to
set up a scoring opportunity, but his pass out of the tackle was forward
with the line beckoning.
Good positional kicking by Terry Rahui using the stiff breeze set up the
position for Lions to draw level. Gate were penalised for either holding
on or driving over the top……..referee Andrew Vertigan seemed to signal
both!! Unfortunately Terry Rahui was only allowed one attempt at goal,
but it was all he needed as his 30 metres kick sailed between the posts.
( 3 – 3 )
More ineffectual tackling by Lions allowed Gate to keep clearing their
lines following probing kicks by Terry Rahui. After 20 minutes, Lions
were awarded their first attacking scrum. They took their opportunity
brilliantly, with Alan Mitchell joining the line at pace to slice through
the Gate defence and cross under the posts. Terry Rahui added the simple
conversion. ( 3 – 10 )
Lions pack were certainly holding their own against a Gate 8 that had
completely dominated them at Webb Ellis Road. An excellent 15 metres
rolling maul gave Terry Rahui the opportunity to add to his tally from 40
metres when the drive was stopped illegally. A beautifully judged kick
brought its just reward. ( 3 – 13 )
Another knock on from the kick off allowed an immediate reply from Gate.
Oliver Cook drove in from the scrum, but was held under the posts. When
the ball was moved left, good Lions’ tackling seemed to have averted the
danger, but the ball was released in the tackle, and James Tapster was on
hand to pick up and dive over in the corner. Lee Cholewa scuffed the
conversion wide. ( 8 – 13 )
Lions response was dramatic and incisive. A big hit by Eddie Simkiss on
half way caused the ball to be spilled. Glen Carson cleverly released the
backs, and a long Terry Rahui pass saw Phil Reed take at pace. The flying
wing made good ground before delivering the scoring pass to the supporting
Toby Handley to scamper the final 20 metres. Terry Rahui put the
finishing touches to a lovely try with another sweet strike. ( 8 – 20 ) See
the video
Half time
Harrogate 8 Lions 20
Lions knew that they were in for a torrid second half with Gate now
enjoying the elements at their backs. Fresh legs were provided in the
shape of Phil Greenbury and Matt Davies, who replaced the shapes of Glen
Carson and Simon Black.
Lions’ start to the second period was as disastrous as the first. A long
Gate kick set up an attacking lineout. The catch was good, the drive
unstoppable, and Pete Taylor claimed the try. Lee Cholewa could not add
the conversion in the swirling breeze. ( 13 – 20 )
Gate maintained the pressure, and they were awarded a penalty when the
Lions’ backs encroached within 10 metres at a lineout. This time Lee
Cholewa’s 35 metres kick struck the post, and Stomper Stannard cleared
with an impressive punt.
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A
superb 20 metres forward drive took Lions deep into Gate territory.
When the maul was stopped illegally, Gate prop Craig Chapman was
despatched to the bin, and the penalty was despatched to the corner.
Another good take from the impressive Steve Halsey allowed Lions to
produce another unstoppable maul, and Matt Davies claimed the score.
Terry Rahui recorded his only miss of the afternoon as his conversion
drifted wide. ( 13 – 25 ) |
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Gate now upped the tempo, and a spell of intense pressure followed, but
Lions’ tackling was up to the task. Just as it looked as though Lions had
weathered the storm, a blatant obstruction on a Lions’ tackler allowed
Jamie Barker to slip through the gap and cross by the posts. This time
Lee Cholewa added the conversion to bring Gate to within one score of the
Lions’ total. ( 20 – 25 )
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However, Lions were in no mood to relinquish their lead, and quick
thinking by Terry Rahui at the restart saw him regather his cheeky
kick. Lions retained possession well, and several probing runs were
held by the Gate defence. A knock on looked to have wasted the
opportunity, but a massive surge at the scrum by the Lions’ pack
secured possession, and Eddie Simkiss picked up to force his way
over. Terry Rahui again added a lovely conversion. ( 20 – 32 ) |
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Lions were now looking to strike the killer blow, and it almost came when
Pete Roberts blasted through several would be tacklers in his own 22.
Good hands saw Phil Reed speeding away, but the wing slipped as he cut
inside the last line of defence. There was a suspicion of a high tackle,
but Reedy conceded that his opponent hit him as he slipped.
Now
it was Lions turn to defend, and the hearts of the faithful few sank as
Matt Davies was yellow carded for killing the ball. The Lions’ 14
defended heroically, but as the defence was sucked in, Gate scrum half
Johann Visser used the space down the short side to good effect to cross
close to the posts. Lee Cholewa’s conversion put the game well and truly
back into the melting pot. ( 27 – 32 )
However, no-one could question the commitment of the Lions’ players as
they drove back upfield. When Lions were awarded a penalty 35 metres out
and close to the touch, up stepped that man Terry Rahui. To a shout of
“you’re going to miss” from a Gate supporter, Terry thumped his kick
confidently between the posts………na na na na na!!!! ( 27 – 35 )
But
the game wasn’t over yet. Again Gate drove in, and again Lions’ stood
firm. On the stroke of full time, Gate were awarded a penalty under the
posts when Lions were caught offside. With several minutes injury time to
come, Lee Cholewa stroked over the kick. ( 30 – 35 )
A
converted try would steal the win for Gate. Surely the Lions’ faithful
were not going to suffer another last minute reversal as against Rosslyn
Park. First another Gate drive was held close to the line…..proof of
Lions’ improvement since the early days of the season. Then Steve Halsey
stole a vital lineout deep in Lions territory, and Lions clawed their way
upfield. With the supporters calling for Lions to retain possession at
all costs, drop goal attempts by Phil Reed and then Jon Boden were inches
wide. Despite Gate’s last ditch attempts to get back downfield, Lions
finished strongly to record a decisive victory.
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Final result:
Harrogate 30 Lions 35 |
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Don's musings
Just what this result meant to the Lions’ players, coaches, and supporters
was clear for all to see as the final whistle blew. The players gave
everything today, and none of them could be faulted for their commitment
to the cause.
Terry Rahui had his most influential game to date, and at last his kicking
boots have arrived from New Zealand!! In an impeccable display, only one
kick went astray in very difficult conditions. Kicks will be critical in
the vital games to come, and someone who can keep the scoreboard ticking
over is invaluable.
It
was also good to see Phil Reed returning to form after a few quiet games.
He looks to have regained his appetite for the game and was unlucky not to
score a spectacular long-range try.
The
most notable factor today was the spirit and commitment of the team. It
looked as though every man was playing for every other. Buck Shelford now
seems to be getting the balance right in terms of the “fear factor” of
making mistakes, and the confidence to try things. Although the tackling
was weak during the opening spell, Lions quickly remedied this to put in
an excellent defensive performance. You have only to think back to the
start of the season, when any team securing a lineout close to the Lions’
line could guarantee a try!! Not any more. The team now is made of
sterner stuff, and scores have to be worked for.
So
where does this leave Lions? Certainly in good heart, and ready for the
battle against Doncaster. With the same level of spirit and commitment
displayed today, surely a victory is within our grasp. Then………who
knows!!!!!
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