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We’re on a roll. It’s just like the buses…….you wait all season for a
victory, then two come along in quick succession. Following last week’s
heroics against Doncaster, Lions set up a mouth-watering home tie against
Exeter in the next round of the Powergen Cup with a comprehensive victory
against an enthusiastic but outclassed Sedgley Park.
Chris Jones has just discovered that he cracked a bone in his wrist two
weeks ago, and will be out of action for about 3 weeks. Bad news indeed
following the injury to Steve Smith. Eddie Simkiss, who is improving with
every game, stepped into the breach at lock, with Dan Southern making his
debut at number eight. Another debutant was wing Kyoto “Dave” Inoue,
standing in for Spencer Brown who rested a muscle strain. Lloyd Warner
started at full back in place of the unavailable Sam Stoop.
Lions looked disjointed from the start as Park started enthusiastically,
but over elaboration in the backs saw a penalty for crossing that Jon
Boden used to take Lions deep into Park territory. Another penalty, this
time for coming into the maul from the side, saw Jon Boden’s 35 metres
kick drift just wide. However, Park knocked on behind their own line and
Lions had a 5 metres scrum. A quick heel and Jon Boden took the ball at
pace down the short side to force his way over for the first score. His
conversion attempt was wide. ( 5 – 0 )
Handling mistakes by both sides lead to a scrappy passage of play as Lions
tried to find the fluency that they had displayed at Doncaster the
previous week. Another handling error by Lions gave Park a penalty, but
full back Pete Roberts (not two of them!!) pulled his 40 metres kick just
wide.
Park squandered a golden opportunity to get points on the board, when
another handling error as Lions attacked saw Park break clear with a 3-man
overlap. With a try beckoning, a forward pass put a halt to the move.
It
was 20 minutes before Lions added to their score, but what a score it
was. Attacking from their own half, good work by Pete Roberts and Lloyd
Warner put young Gareth Collins in the clear. He raced into the Park
half, and chipped over the full back. A lovely bounce saw the wing gather
his kick and race to the posts where he dived over to celebrate his 20th
birthday in style. Jon Boden tagged on the conversion. ( 12 – 0 )
When Lions were penalised for not releasing the ball in the tackle, Pete
Roberts (the Park variety) tried his luck again from almost the identical
spot as his first penalty 40 metres out. This time his kick was closer,
but not close enough, as it rebounded off the post to safety.
However, it was not long before Park were on the score sheet. A lovely
delayed pass from Jim Naylor put Pete Roberts (not the Lion) through the
gap, and the full back delivered a well timed pass inside to Andy Taylor.
An audacious dummy opened the door for the number eight to stride in under
the posts. Roberts (the Park Pete) added the conversion. ( 12 – 7 )
This was the wake-up call that Lions needed, and Lloyd Warner showed the
way with an arcing run from defence. Roberts (the Lions Pete) carried on
the move, but was hauled down 20 metres short. Jim Naylor was yellow
carded for killing the ball in trying to prevent the score, and Jon Boden
tapped the penalty to the corner. Good decision!! An excellent Steve
Stewart take from the lineout saw Lions drive Eddie Simkiss over in the
clubhouse corner. Jon Boden’s touchline conversion was judged to
perfection as the referee blew for half time.
Half time
Lions 19 Sedgley Park 7
With Danny Facer on for Dan Southern, Lions wasted no time in extending
their lead. A flowing cross field move almost had Gareth Collins in at
the right corner, and when the ball was spun back left, Steve Stewart and
Phil Skillen combined for the latter to cross wide out. Jon Boden’s
conversion was wide. ( 24 – 7 )
Park responded almost immediately as a sniping run from scrum half Chris
Wilkinson saw the ball moved quickly to the left where Park’s Pete Roberts
squeezed in at the corner. His conversion attempt was well wide. ( 29 –
12 )
Another break by Lloyd Warner and a sniping blindside run by Wimpie Jonker
almost prised open the Park defence, but it was birthday boy Gareth
Collins who had the Shed roaring. Lions' pressure down the middle created
space on the right where Gareth cut inside to slice through a wrong-footed
Park defence and cross for another excellent try. Jon Boden was not
enjoying a good day with the boot as his conversion again failed to find
the mark.
Lions were now starting to wind things up, and another try was soon to
come. “Dave” fielded a Park kick and drove into the heart of the
defence. Lloyd Warner made the initial break down the left touchline, and
Jon Boden was on hand to deliver the scoring inside pass to Elliot
Blundell who had just replaced the injured Wimpie Jonker. This time Jon
Boden made no mistake with the conversion. ( 36 – 12 )
With Andy Morris replacing “Pig” Brittin, Lions continued to dominate. A
superb 70 metres Jon Boden “bomb” did not gain the ground it deserved as
Park took a quick throw and returned some of the yardage. What a
travesty!!
James Tyers replaced Simon Black at prop, and when flanker Ben Smith was
injured, on came Eddie Saunders for yet another comeback. Rumour has it
that Eddie needs some new kit!! Now Eddie will be the first to admit that
he is not a flanker, so Lions did some juggling to allow him to take up
his normal wing position. Gareth Collins moved to full back, Lloyd Warner
to centre, and Alex Taylor took up the unfamiliar role of flanker.
The
changes didn’t affect Lions superiority, as a Jon Boden break saw “Dave”
cross in the corner. At last Japanese television had something to show!!
Jon Boden could not add the conversion. ( 41 – 12 )
A
break from deep inside the Lions half had Eddie away, but the cover was
across to prevent what would have been a more than popular score.
However, Lions rounded things off in style as Alex Taylor, revelling in
his flanker’s role, powered through the Park defence and suddenly found
himself in the clear. With no support on hand, he managed to outpace the
Park defence to complete the scoring. Jon Boden’s conversion drifted wide
as the referee signalled full time.
Final result:
Lions 46 Sedgley Park 12
Don's Musings
A
comprehensive victory for the Lions, but there is still room for
involvement. The performance in the first quarter was disjointed, but
again Lions showed flashes of what they are capable of. They are still
not firing on all cylinders, but the potential is there for all to see.
Judgie and his coaching staff are gradually bringing things together, and
Jon Boden and his backs must be revelling in the words of wisdom from Paul
Turner.
It’s good to see the players and supporters enjoying themselves again
after the rigours of last season. There is an air of confidence and a
buzz of expectancy about the place again………I think I’m going to enjoy this
season!!
Next week sees the first league game of the season at Webb Ellis Road when
Lions entertain Harrogate. Another chance for the young Lions to show
just what they are capable of. Roll on Saturday!! |
