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The large number of travelling Lions’ supporters were
given a taste of what might have been, as their team gave a powerful and
confident performance to beat already relegated Bedford Athletic.
However, the pleasure of winning quickly turned to despair as news of
victories for both Cleckheaton and Blaydon filtered through. At last
the fat lady was well and truly singing as the realisation dawned that
it will be Midlands 1 next season.
Lions started purposefully, playing into a stiff breeze.
The forwards showed their intent with a couple of strong drives to
disrupt Ath’s scrums, and an awesome piece of defence at an Ath
attacking line that not only stopped the drive, but took it back a good
10 metres.
However, it was Ath that had the first scoring
opportunity, but “Cliff” Richards pushed his kick wide. Glenn Bond made
no mistake with his first attempt shortly after, following a massive hit
from Mark Ellis in midfield (one of several in a tremendous man of the
match performance) that lead to the penalty. ( 0 – 3 )
With James Hunt suffering a knee injury on the 20 minutes
mark, Ricky Hyslop came off the bench to replace him.
Ath were making good use of the wind to keep Lions pegged
in their own half, but a tremendous interception and clearing run from
Paul Thompson lead to the Lions’ first try. Thommo’s legs just wouldn’t
go the full length of the field following his Marathon efforts last
Sunday, but when the ball was spun wide, Matt Goode put Andrew Kaminsa
into space, and was on hand to receive the return pass to race in.
Glenn Bond’s conversion into the breeze was wide. ( 0 – 8 )
Cliff Richards pulled 3 points back with a penalty from
the restart, but Lions continued to dominate, and extended their lead
with a classic try. A penalty was despatched to the Ath 22. An
excellent catch and drive took play close to the Ath line, but when the
drive was stopped, the ball was spun infield where Ricky Hyslop
performed his Moses act with a perfect dummy that parted the Ath defence
for him to scythe through the gap. Glenn Bond added the simple
conversion. ( 3 – 15 )
Lions almost scored again just before half time with a
lovely midfield break from Andrew Kaminsa, who was a threat throughout
as he enjoyed his best game in a Lions’ shirt. The wing chipped the
last line of defence, but an unlucky bounce took the ball away from him
with the line at his mercy.
Half time
Bedford Athletic 3 Lions 15
With the breeze at their backs, Lions were in a strong
position, and soon extended their lead with a beautifully struck penalty
from near half way by young Glenn Bond. ( 3 – 18 )
More powerful play by Thommo and Ella cleared the Lions’
line from an Ath attacking lineout. That was Ella’s last contribution
as he was replaced by Glen Carson and was given a deserved ovation by
the large Lions’ contingent.
Lions extended their lead with another classic try, and
it was that man Andrew Kaminsa who scored it. Hitting the line at pace
he took a perfectly timed inside pass from Tommy Turner to race around
the cover and touch down in the corner. Glenn Bond’s touchline
conversion drifted just wide. ( 3 – 23 )
Ath now showed their forward power as a misplaced Lions’
kick gave them an attacking lineout. This time there was no stopping
the drive as the forwards touched down. Cliff Richards added the
conversion. ( 10 – 23 )
Lions claimed their 4th try and a bonus point
with another Ricky Hyslop special. Bursting through in the centre, he
went outside one man, then another, and then beat the cover to cross in
the corner. This time Glenn Bond judged his touchline conversion to
perfection, and Lions were cruising. ( 10 – 30 )
Following sustained pressure, the Lions’ defence was
breached again, but Cliff Richards’ conversion was wide. ( 15 – 30 )
With Ricky Hyslop limping off, Lions reshuffled with Karl
Braband coming into the pack, and Danny Collins moving to the wing with
Tim Douglas filling the centre berth.
Lions were determined to have the last say, and a
turnover in midfield allowed Andrew Kaminsa to again find space and
deliver the scoring pass to the supporting Tim Douglas. Glenn Bond’s
conversion completed an excellent Lions’ performance.
Final result:
Bedford Athletic 15 Lions 37
Don's musings
Despite outstanding performances by forwards and backs in
what was probably the Lions’ best all round display of the season, it
was again too little too late…...unfortunately the story of the season.
So it’s Midlands 1 next season as Lions are relegated for
the 3rd season running. No doubt the recriminations will
start, and undoubtedly the management’s inability to count how many
foreign players are in the squad will figure prominently in analysing
Lions’ demise. This obviously contributed to the situation, but if
Lions had just won one of the matches that they contrived to lose by
such close margins, then we would be looking forward to another season
in National 3 North.
All of the following games could and should have been
won……….
Lions 8 Bradford & Bingley 9
Lions 17 Fylde 24
Lions 21 New Brighton 27
Lions 16 Tynedale 19
Cleckheaton 24
Lions 23
Lions 13 Macclesfield 17
Lions 20 Dudley K 20
……..but sadly we came a close second in all of them. It
doesn’t bear thinking about that a side with a positive points
difference has been relegated!!
So what do we do now? The positives are that we now have
a good organisational structure and an excellent squad of players that
the management should be looking to keep together. We are told that
most of the players have already signed for next season, although
whether they will stay following relegation remains to be seen. All of
the players need to do some soul-searching and realise that they should
honour their commitments. Undoubtedly we have some very promising
youngsters who will probably stay as they are Lions through and
through. But Midlands 1 will not be easy, and we need some good “old”
heads to support the youngsters.
As for the management……then they too must take a long
hard look at their own performance over the past 4 seasons. Each year
they have brought players in…...mercenaries who did not have the Lions
at heart. Consequently, when relegation happened, the players simply
moved on, and we started the merry-go-round again with a new squad of
players. At least coming down the leagues has meant that we have met
some talented Lions’ youngsters coming the other way who are capable of
playing at the level that the Lions now find themselves.
So this season things looked different. We had a squad
in place before the season started……….unheard of for several years!!
Not only that, but we had a coaching set up in place as well. What we
have developed over this season is a good squad comprising very
promising youngsters mixed with some good old heads. The spirit in the
squad is excellent, with players taking it on the chin when they have
lost their place in the first team, and being prepared to play for the
Crusaders and win their places back.
The management cannot, MUST not, let the squad
disintegrate. Now is the time to invest in the Club to ensure that the
squad stays together so that we can bounce back into the National
leagues. We have the makings of a squad that can do what Ella and
company did years ago when we progressed through the ranks and reached
the giddy heights of the Premiership …….and all with basically the same
set of players. That was all down to team spirit and a love of the
Lions……..mixed with a fair amount of skill as well.
If the management are not prepared to invest in the Club
at this crucial time…….a time that they have been more than instrumental
in bringing about……then they should simply walk away and let other
people look to restore some pride in the Lions. It is the Club dinner
at the end of May, and by then the management should be looking to let
us know exactly what their plans are for the Club.
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