On a warm and sunny afternoon, I journeyed South (a rare event this season!!) to visit Jacques Steyne’s stamping ground in Barking.  After suffering long jams on the M25 (good training for the M6!!), then not being able to access the ground due to road works, I eventually arrived 5 minutes after kick off, only to find that I had missed the first try of the season!! 

Due to work commitments, injuries (yes, several people have strains and pulls after stretching bits of the body that have not been stretched for several weeks), holidays, and other reasons / excuses too numerous to mention, only 23 of the 47 man squad were unavailable for selection this afternoon.
 

Lions certainly got off to a good start with Gareth Collins crossing with Lions’ first attack …….after 3 hours on the road, I missed it!!.  Centre Matt Goode added the conversion to give Lions an early lead.  ( 0 – 7 ). 

Lions extended their lead (I saw this one!!) when fly half Andy Regan spiralled a lovely kick to the Barking 22.  Steve Stewart rose to steal the line, and when the ball was moved swiftly along the backs, Matt Goode carved his way through for a lovely try.  Unfortunately, he missed the simple conversion.  ( 0 – 12 ). 

Barking soon showed their forward power when good support play took them to the Lions’ line and the forwards drove over for the try.  Former Lions’ favourite Jacques Steyne missed the conversion.  ( 5 – 12 ). 

Barking were soon on level terms when a series of penalties saw them with an attacking line in Lions’ 22.  Lions held up the initial drive, and when the ball was moved infield, good tackling forced a turnover.  Unfortunately the clearance was not a good one, and Barking were soon back on the attack.  Several more forward drives were kept out, but when the ball was moved wide, the wing just had enough room to stretch over in the corner.  This time Jacques Steyne’s touchline conversion was a beauty.  ( 12 – 12). 

On the stroke of half time, a good midfield break saw the Barking number 21 cross under the posts despite Gareth Collin’s last ditch tackle.  Again, Jacques Steyne added the conversion.   

Half time 

Barking  19        Lions  12 

Lions used the second half to “blood” some of their youngsters, and with Barking constantly bringing on fresh legs, they managed to retain possession for long periods and scored 4 converted tries against a tiring Lions’ defence without reply. 

Final result: 

Barking  47        Lions  12

Don's Musings 

Don’t panic Mr. Mainwaring!!  (I thought I’d get the first Dad’s Army reference in before the Sheddites catch on to one of our new scrum half’s name!!)  There were some positives from this game, and once “BrettanElla”, our coaching dynamic duo (better than that other coach, Wally Sarnold), have the full squad at their disposal, I’m sure that things will improve. 3 more trial games will also get people to full match fitness ready for the opening League game against Darlington. 

So who caught the eye?  Matt Goode looks like he will live up to his name in the centre, whilst fly half Andy Regan showed some neat touches at fly half.  Apparently negotiations with the experienced fly half that Lions were trying to get as player / coach have broken down, so other avenues are being pursued.  If all these fail, I don’t think that Andy will let us down. 

In the forwards, competition will be hot in the second row, with Steve Stewart, Steve Halsey, and Simon Hepher vying for places.  The back row will be equally interesting, as Simon can also play at 8.  Alex Nash looks as though he is carrying on from where he left off last season with another all action display in both attack and defence. 

So now to Cov next Saturday at Webb Ellis Road.  I will certainly be looking for an improvement on today’s performance, but I’m sure that BrettanElla will have seen enough to build on. 

See you there!!