Lions gave new coaches Wayne Shelford and Brett Taylor just the start they were looking for with a compelling display of attacking rugby.  Unfortunately, defensive lapses allowed Moseley to keep well in contention until a late Lloyd Warner try, his hat-trick, sealed victory. 

Lions kept their pack unchanged, but reverted to the centre pairing of Pete Roberts and Lloyd Warner, with Spencer Brown starting at full back and Scott Read on the wing.  Scrum half Toby Handley, on loan from Coventry, took his place on the bench.  Lions had a dream start with a try in the first minute.  Steve Smith set up the ruck as he returned a Moseley clearance.  Lloyd Warner was first receiver, and the centre skipped round his man and raced 35 metres to dive over despite the attentions of Stephen Nutt.  Jon Boden missed the conversion from 10 metres in from touch.  ( 5 – 0 )
	Warner's 1st try - 1 minute on the clock
A turnover and a knock on lost Lions promising attacking positions as they drove deep into Moseley territory.  However, good disruptive work by Alex Nash at a Moseley scrum gave Lions the opportunity to set up the position for that man Lloyd Warner to scythe through the Moseley defence from short range for a try under the posts.  Jon Boden added the simple conversion.  (12 – 0 )  Mistakes from the restart gave Moseley an attacking scrum.  The ball was moved right and back left, but the Lions’ defence was solid.  That is until a high kick was launched to the clubhouse corner.  Defenders and attackers alike misjudged the flight of the ball, and it took a wicked bounce infield for Stephen Nutt to gratefully accept the gift and stroll over for an easy try, to which he added the conversion.  ( 12 – 7 )
	Warner's second
Lions were soon back on the attack, and when Moseley were penalised for going over the top at the ruck, Jon Boden added the 3 points.  ( 15 – 7 )  A powerful drive by the Lions’ pack rolled Moseley back 20 metres.  When Moseley were penalised for offside, Lions opted to take the scrum, but Moseley took a vital heel against the head.  Moseley were again penalised, and this time Jon Boden opted to go for goal.  The decision was a good one as the ball sailed between the posts to extend Lions’ lead.  ( 18 – 7 )
	Boden breaks through
Lions’ lead was extended even further when Tim Stannard won excellent lineout ball, and a beautiful pass from Sam Rees saw Jon Boden taking the ball at pace to slice through the Moseley defence.  A deft side step wrong-footed the cover and the fly half’s pace did the rest.  Unfortunately the number 10 could not add the conversion.  ( 23 – 7 )
	Great try

A series of penalties gave Moseley their first view of the Lions 22 for some time, but handling errors allowed Lions to clear.  Moseley were soon back on the attack, and good hands gave wing Andy Gray just enough space to power through a double tackle to score in the clubhouse corner.  Stephen Nutt’s conversion drifted wide.  ( 23 – 12 ) 

Moseley came back again with another fortuitous try as Lions lost the ball in midfield and Andy Gray was on hand to pick up and race clear.  Jon Boden caught the winger, but he was able to pop the ball up in the tackle for the supporting Paul Cox to race over.  Stephen Nutt added the simple conversion.  ( 23 – 19 ) 

Lions were soon hammering away on Moseley’s line again, but when they were penalised, a quick tap saw Stephen Nutt racing clear.  He was hauled down on the Lions’ 22, and Lions were penalised for handling in the ruck.  The ball was tapped to the corner, and a textbook take and drive saw lock Alex Hadley crash over in the corner on the stroke of half time to give Moseley the lead for the first time.  Stephen Nutt’s conversion was pushed wide.   

Half time  Lions    23         Moseley            24  Lions were soon on the attack at the start of the second half as a bullocking run by Steve Smith released Lloyd Warner.  The centre was halted on halfway, but Moseley were penalised for offside.  Lions’ powerful pack had Moseley going backwards again, and when the maul was stopped illegally, flanker Jacob Mellors was despatched to the bin.  Lions took the opportunity to replace Steve Smith with Eddie Simkiss, and Toby Handley came on for his debut, replacing Sam Rees.
	Handley about to sell the dummy
The scrum half made an immediate impact with an outrageous dummy from a close in ruck that allowed him to dive over to restore Lions’ lead.  Jon Boden added a lovely conversion.  ( 30 – 24 )  Both sides had attacking chances, but both defences held firm.  When Lions were penalised for offside, Stephen Nutt pushed his kick well wide from 40 metres.  With Glen Carson on for Dave Campton, Lions looked for that vital score that would give them some breathing space.  Spencer Brown set up a good attacking position with a brilliant run after fielding a long Moseley clearance kick.  He was hauled down on the Moseley 22, but Lions could not turn the pressure into points.
	Debut try
Lions replaced Matt Davies with Simon Black, as another piece of Spencer Brown magic almost had Gareth Collins in at the corner with a lovely cross-field kick.  The winger was held just short, but when the ball was swung back left, Lloyd Warner was on hand to crash over for his hat trick.  Jon Boden’s conversion was narrowly wide.  ( 35 – 24 )  5 minutes left.  Could Lions hold on for a deserved victory?  Moseley were now working hard for the score that would bring them back into contention, but Lions were in no mood to allow them the opportunity and the defence held firm.  With 5 minutes of injury time played, the referee finally made the connection between mouth and whistle, and Buck’s boys were celebrating a well deserved victory.  Final result:  Lions    35         Moseley            24
	Warner picks up
	Hat-trick

Don's musings

There was much in this display for the Lions’ new coaching regime to take heart from.  Obviously it will take time for them to stamp their mark on the team and its tactics, but certainly they have an excellent base to work from.   

The pack is starting to look very solid, with Dave Campton and Tim Stannard providing a powerhouse second row.  The back row is starting to gel well, with aggressive Lee Crofts, dynamo Alex Nash, and a rejuvenated Steve Smith.  Even the front row is looking solid with Rhidian Booth, “Pig” Brittin, Matt Davies, Phil Greenbury and Simon Black offering options.  Supporting these are the ever reliable Glen Carson and Eddie Simkiss.  The pack is now starting to stamp its authority on games, providing ample possession for the speedy backs to take advantage of. 

It is still difficult to choose Lions’ best set of backs.  Jon Boden is coming back to form, but competition for his half back partner has increased with the loan arrival of Toby Handley from Coventry.  Pete Roberts and Lloyd Warner look the most effective centre partnership for me, with Spencer Brown, Gareth Collins, and Sam Stoop providing an exciting back three.  Then there is Alex Taylor, John O’Shea, and Scott Read providing the back up. 

The one Achilles heel in the squad is the lack of a reliable goal kicker.  There are some tough games coming up, and keeping the scoreboard ticking over will be crucial.  Let’s hope that Jon Boden finds his kicking boots when he needs them most. 

Finally, did you see the Evening Telegraph on Friday?  The preview of the Lions’ game was followed by the team sheet……..which was headed “Coventry”.  Does Wilko know something that we don’t?!?!?!

Backs : Lloyd Warner - Forwards : Dave Campton

Rugby’s home league record for the first half of this season was a distinct improvement on that of the previous season, but there were two serious lapses; against Harrogate and Nottingham.  

In the second half, which began with the away game lost at Wharfedale last weekend, the Lions have seven home fixtures with just two of the clubs being among those currently below them; Rosslyn Park and Esher. The other five clubs are presently in the upper regions. Apart from the leaders, Sedgley Park, the highest placed is the fifth club, Doncaster with Nuneaton and Bracknell immediately below. Victory against next Saturday’s visitors, Moseley, just one place above Rugby, could provide the home supporters with the New Year start that they were denied a week ago. 

So far this season Moseley have won five league games (Newbury, Lydney, Rugby and Harrogate at home: Wharfedale away. Seven games were lost to (Sedgley Park and Doncaster at home; Doncaster, Esher, Nuneaton, Rosslyn Park and Stourbridge away). Two home games were drawn, against Bracknell and Nottingham. 

Rugby Lions now have a new Director of Coaching and it would be a nice gesture if the team could present him with a win on his first Saturday in charge. Most of the “older” supporters will remember him in Northampton’s back row with Rob Tebbutt and Tim Rodber when Rugby lost 29-0 at Franklins Gardens in their first season in Courage Division 1. He was also in the team that played the Lions at Webb Ellis Road the following season, a much closer affair that Rugby lost 7-13. Wayne Shelford praised Rugby’s effort after the game. On that day Peter Walton had replaced Tim Rodber. Lions’ hooker, Rob Milner, played the last 20 minutes of the game with a broken ankle! 

A new era beckons, go for it Lions!