Rugby Lions - Match reports, 2003-04

Match Report - also see the picture gallery

Lions got their season back on track with a comprehensive win against a Cleckheaton team that were level on points in the League before the game…….but certainly not after it, as Lions took them apart with a clinical second half performance that also brought the bonus point for scoring 4 tries.

Steve Stewart returned at lock, with Simon Hepher on the flank and Paul Thomson at number 8. Ben Clarke and Allan Mitchell again swapped roles, with Ben at fullback and Allan on the wing.

Lions faced a strong wind and driving rain, but soon showed their intent with Matt Davies, who enjoyed his best game of the season so far, charging down the centre from a slick inside pass from Andy Regan. Then Alex Nash crashed through to race 30 metres. Andy Regan was in support, but the move was halted in the Cleckheaton 22.

A series of penalties to Lions were despatched to the corner, and with the Lions’ line working like a dream (honest!!), a score looked imminent. Eventually referee Mark Vernon lost his patience, and duly despatched John Dudley to the bin.

Lions immediately made their numerical superiority pay, as with John Dudley still returning to the bench, a Thommo pick up at a scrum saw Steve Halsey driven over for the opening score. Allan Mitchell’s conversion from wide out struck a post and came out. ( 5 – 0 )

Now it was Cleckheaton’s turn to exert some pressure, but the Lions’ tackling was uncompromising. Fullback Glenn Boyd missed a golden opportunity to put points on the board for Cleckheaton when he pushed a 30 metres penalty wide, but with John Dudley returned to the fray, he made no mistake with his second attempt from 40 metres. ( 5 – 3 )

Simon Hepher was in the wars as he was felled by a high tackle (and that takes some doing against someone who is 6 feet 12 inches tall). The perpetrator got away with a stern warning, but Allan Mitchell made no mistake with a beautifully struck penalty into the wind from 35 metres. ( 8 – 3 )

The highlights of the rest of the half were a couple of free-for-alls that resulted in penalties, but no yellow cards.

Half time

Lions 8 Cleckheaton 3

Lions surely fancied their chances with the wind at their backs, and it took them all of 2 minutes to show their intent. A lovely Matt Goode break was stopped metres short, but when the ball was spun wide, there was Tristan Wati at the breakdown to pick up and charge over. Allan Mitchell added the conversion. ( 15 – 3 )

Cleckheaton immediately pulled 3 points back from a Glenn Boyd penalty ( 15 – 6 ), but Allan Mitchell replied in kind following a touchline run by Gareth Collins after he was freed by a lovely lobbed pass from Andy Regan. ( 18 – 6 )

Andy was again to the fore as he retrieved his own high kick, then a deft chip over the top by Dave Jackson gave Gareth Collins the opportunity to show his footballing skills as he dribbled the ball 30 metres to touch down for Lions 3rd try. Again, Allan Mitchell added the conversion. ( 25 – 6 )

Lions were now looking for their 4th try and that all important bonus point. A brilliant pick up off his toes and a thundering 60 metres clearance by Andy Reagan soon had Lions back on the attack. However, it looked as though the score would never come, as both Gareth Collins and Matt Goode crossed the Cleackheaton line, but both were recalled for forward passes. Then Alex Nash hacked the ball 60 metres downfield as a Cleckheaton attack faltered in the face of some solid Lions’ tackling, and Allan Makaka (on for Ben Clarke) almost got to the ball, but was penalised for offside.

Lions kept plugging away, and another lovely lineout take and drive was held just short. When the ball was moved inside, there was Allan Mitchell to time his run to perfection and slice through beneath the posts. He also added the conversion for good measure. ( 32 – 6 )

Just like buses, you wait for one for ages, then 2 come along at once!! Lions were now playing compelling rugby, and a lovely long kick by Allan Mitchell set up the next score. Cleckheaton managed to retrieve the kick, but as the Lions’ tacklers drove in, a pass went astray and Hawkes was on hand to intercept and cross by the posts. Allan Mitchell added the conversion for good measure.

Final result:

Lions 37 Cleckheaton 6

Having no game last week certainly seems to have done the Lions good, as all of the negative aspects of the Macclesfield non-performance last week were laid to rest by an excellent display of 15 man rugby in dreadful conditions.

Brett and his coaching team certainly must have worked hard with the players…….the lineout was exceptional, with only a couple being lost all afternoon (but we did manage to nick a couple of theirs as compensation!!)…….the scrum was solid……..we were quicker to the breakdowns, and in numbers………and the defence was awesome.

Couple this with a spirit and commitment that was evident throughout this excellent team performance, and you have a recipe for lots of happy smiling faces in the Shed!!

The only negative was the high penalty count, but hey, I’m sure that the team and coaches will work on that.

And so to Tynedale……..second in the table before today’s game, but losing at New Brighton. No doubt that they will be looking to get back to winning ways next week, but Lions have to show that steely resolve from the off, and continue to play the sort of rugby that we saw today. Let’s hope that they make the long drag up the M1 / A1 worthwhile for the faithful few.

Match preview

Team news

by Denis Keen

15	Alan Mitchell
14	Gareth Collins
13	Matt Goode
12	James Hawken
11	Ben Clarke
10	Andy Regan
9	David Jackson
8	Simon Heapher
7	Alex Nash
6	Paul Thompson
5	Steve Halsey
4	Steve Stewart
3	Tristan Wati
2	Matt Davies
1	Kelvin Todd
Reps
	James Cooper
	Alan Makaka
	Carl Southwell
	Glen Carson

With the intrusion of the Powergen Cup it is a month since the Lions last played in front of their home crowd. On that occasion they received a message from the Halifax machine that put them in no doubt as to what was the maximum force likely to be encountered in their new league programme. Though they failed to overturn a resolute Waterloo they appeared to have made some more progress, however, as Brett Taylor has made plain through the local press, they took a big step backwards at Macclesfield, where even half a pace forward would have secured some points.

With four games completed Cleckheaton are in seventh place, equal on points with Rugby, but with a poorer points difference: both clubs have won two and lost two. At home Cleckheaton narrowly defeated Fylde but went down heavily against New Brighton. Away from home they have been more consistent with a two-point victory at Darlington Mowden Park and a three-point defeat at Kendal. Having beaten Hull in the second round of the Powergen Cup, “Cleck” went out in round three after they lost 24-19 to National League 3 South Westcombe Park last Saturday.

Rugby must re-establish their pattern of progress this coming weekend by cutting out those errors that give away often hard-won possession, by better discipline in kickable territory, but most of all by digging deep when the competition gets tough. The regular supporters will always be there, home and away, to back up their team so please give us something to shout about.