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Lions shook off the Nuneaton blues with a comprehensive victory against
bottom club Lydney that sees the West Country club remain firmly rooted to
the foot of the table. This was a good all round performance by Lions
that marked their first League win at Webb Ellis Road for over a year!!
Lions had Steve Stewart making a welcome return in the second row, this
week partnered by Steve Smith. Eddie Simkiss reverted to his more
familiar number 8 berth where he has performed so well in previous games
this season. In the backs, Alex Taylor was preferred to Sam Stoop in the
centre, and Wimpie Jonker started at scrum half.
A
nervous start by both sides led to a scrappy opening 5 minutes, but it was
Lydney that enjoyed the first spell of pressure. When Lions were
penalised at a ruck, Adam Westall made no mistake with his 35 metres
straight kick to give Lydney the lead. ( 0 – 3 )
Lydney must have heard about Lions’ vulnerability to the rolling maul as
they attempted to drive Lions back in midfield, but Lions soon showed that
they were not going to be a pushover this week. One problem area sorted.
In fact, things were looking good as Steve Stewart started to win some
good lineout ball. However, the scrum looked far from happy, and Eddie
Simkiss did well to tidy up loose ball at the base on a number of
occasions.
Lions were finding it hard to retain any meaningful possession, and it was
Lydney who were forcing the pace. Jon Boden put a stop to this as Lydney
tried a planned move in the backs, only to see Jon hammer his opposite
number as he tried to sell a dummy. Who says Jon Boden can’t tackle?!?!
Lions started to find their feet as Lydney were penalised for several
offences. From one of these Jon Boden tried his luck with a pot from 40
metres, but his kick drifted just wide. Another penalty saw Lions plant
the ball in the corner, and although Steve Stewart took a lovely catch,
the pack could not get the rolling maul going and Lydney cleared.
More penalties followed as Lydney’s defensive frailties were exposed.
When a penalty was awarded in the shadow of the Lydney posts, Lloyd
Warner’s quick thinking saw him take a tap and force his way over. Jon
Boden added the simple conversion. ( 7 – 3 ).
Lions were now starting to see more possession, and more importantly they
were making good use of it. Lydney were under all sorts of pressure, and
another series of penalties saw Jon Boden planting the last one between
the posts from the 22 metres line to extend Lions’ lead. ( 10 – 3 ).
Bullocking runs by Steve Smith and Phil Skillen set up Lions next
attacking position, and it was that man Lloyd Warner who popped up again
to land a sweetly struck drop goal from 35 metres. ( 13 – 3 ).
Lydney tried manfully to apply pressure, but a lost ball allowed Steve
Smith to hack clear to take play back into the Lydney 22. The half
finished as it had started, with a period of scrappy play as neither side
managed to string any worthwhile moves together.
Half time
Lions 13 Lydney 3
Lions started the second half with John Paul Filler on for the injured
Phil Skillen.
Good covering by Gareth Collins from a long Lydney kick almost saw him
wriggle clear of several onrushing tacklers. When he was held, Alex
Taylor broke from half way with support on both sides, but it all ended in
tears as Lions were penalised at the ruck.
Gareth Collins again caught the eye as he raced after a long clearance
kick when a Lydney move broke down in the Lions’ 22. He surged past his
opposite number to hack the ball on, but the cover just got to it before
him. However, Lydney conceded a scrum in trying to defend the situation,
and Lions used this platform to produce a flowing backs move that saw
Lloyd Warner (yes, that man again!!) slice through to score a lovely try.
Jon Boden added the conversion. ( 20 – 3 ).
Lions were now in total control, and to add to Lydney’s cup of woe,
influential fly half Julian Hill was lead off with what looked like a
painful shoulder injury. Lydney were forced to shuffle their back line as
Leon Meek came on as replacement, with fullback Adam Westall taking the
number 10 berth.
Lions replaced Matt Davies, who was again spot on with his lineout
throwing, with Pig Britten, but it did not diminish Lions superiority.
They were soon back in the Lydney 22, and when a poor pass from a
defensive scrum saw the clearance kick charged down, Eddie Simkiss was on
hand to pick up and force his way over. Jon Boden added the conversion.
( 27 – 3 ).
It
was at this point that the scoreboard suddenly realised that it was being
told that Lions were well in front in a League game. It promptly refused
to believe this and gave up the ghost!!
Replacements followed, with Lions bringing on Dan South for Wimpie Jonker,
and Lydney replacing the injured Dean Jenkins with Adrian Knox.
Lions were soon back on the offensive as a mistake at the base of a scrum
by Lydney allowed Dan South to pick up and launch a sweeping move by the
backs. Gareth Collins was in support, and as the wing cut inside, he
found the whole Lions’ back line outside him. Simple passing saw the ball
reach Pete Roberts, and with men spare he chose to go himself. The
referee awarded the try after consulting with his touch judge, but Pete
would never have lived it down if the try had not been awarded. With Jon
Boden taking a knock in the build up, Lloyd Warner took the conversion,
but it was well off target. (32 – 3 ).
Lions replaced Phil Greenbury with Alex Wilson as they looked to extend
their lead with 20 minutes left to play. Spencer Brown almost did it with
a lovely break from his own half as he gathered a wayward Lydney kick, but
the return pass from Gareth Collins was deemed to be forward with the line
beckoning.
With the game lost, Lydney at last started to find their feet, with Adam
Westall showing some good touches at fly half. Unfortunately Lydney found
themselves having to make more injury replacements with Andy Wright and
Alan Chapman taking over from the two Nicks, Nelmes and Bartlett, in the
front row. Nevertheless, Lydney continued to give Lions a torrid time in
the set scrum, driving them back with ease (well, it looked easy
anyway!!).
On
the stroke of full time, Lydney got the score that they deserved for their
never say die spirit as Regan Turoa crashed over. Adam Westhall added the
conversion as the final whistle blew.
Final result:
Lions 32 Lydney 10
Don's musings
This was a good all round performance from Lions after the debacle at
Nuneaton. The backs looked sharp, and the lineout worked well. Even
rolling mauls were being stopped. Unfortunately, the set scrum looked
vulnerable, although quick heels and good tidying by the irrepressible
Eddie Simkiss meant that possession was retained. It was good to see
Steve Smith come through the whole game, and he looks to be slowly getting
back to his best.
A
win’s a win as they say, but there is still room for improvement, and
Lions must look to use this victory as a springboard to more good
results. We all know what the players are capable of, as they have
demonstrated against Doncaster and Exeter, but we need to see that same
passion and commitment week in and week out.
Rosslyn Park next week is an ideal opportunity for the Lions to roar
again. With games against Newbury and Esher to follow, this gives a
chance for Lions to achieve a comfortable mid-table position that will
allow players and supporters to relax a little and enjoy the rest of the
season. |
