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Lions plunged themselves even deeper into the relegation
mire with yet another disappointing display against a Darlington side
that simply wanted it more. Lions dominated the first half, but still
turned round at half time with a 6 – 3 deficit. However, Darlington had
a player sin binned on the stroke of half time, so Lions had an
opportunity to strike back at the start of the second half. Instead it
was Darlington who looked as though they had the man advantage as Lions
conceded 3 tries from close-in forward drives, and Darlington sewed up a
bonus point from the only decent backs move of the game.
Lions started with young Tommy Turner at fly half in a
real baptism of fire. Glenn Bond started on the wing, with Allan
Mitchell at full back (why????). Matt Goode and James Hunt formed the
centre partnership, with Gareth Collins returning on the other wing.
Phil Greenbury made a welcome return at prop, with Glen Carson, Danny
Collins, and Paul Thompson making up the back row.
Lions started brightly with a lovely kick to the corner
from Matt Goode. Simon Hepher stole the Darlington lineout and the
drive was on. When Darlington were penalised for halting the drive
illegally, a quick tap was held by desperate Darlington defence, but
another penalty was awarded in the shadow of the posts. Unbelievably,
Glenn Bond put the kick wide.
Worse was to follow as at the other end Lions tried to
clear their line, and Matt Goode was penalised for not releasing the
ball in the tackle. A mass brawl ensued, and Matt Goode was singled out
and yellow carded for retaliation. To add insult to injury, the penalty
was slotted with ease. ( 3 – 0 )
More niggle followed when Tommy Turner, who was singled
out for some rough treatment all afternoon, knocked on from a poor pass,
and something untoward then happened in the tackle as he tried to
recover. Again Lions were penalised as they protected the young fly
half. This time the kick was despatched to the corner, and although the
lineout drive was held, Lions were penalised in the ruck. Again, the
kick was successful. ( 6 – 0 )
Lions enjoyed a spell of possession, and a good forward
drive was halted when Simon Hepher almost had his head screwed off by
one of the Darlington locks. Rather than penalising the offending
Darlington player for what looked to be a yellow card offence, the
referee penalised Lions for retaliation…….again!! Things were already
looking bleak as Simon Hepher was helped from the field with a
dislocated thumb, to be replaced by Wilf Barclay, with Paul Thompson
moving to lock.
Lions were restored to full strength as Matt Goode
returned to the fray. Lions had a couple of opportunities, but first
Steve Stewart knocked on after breaking from a lineout, then James Hunt
was forced into touch on the home 22.
The referee was frustrating both sides in not playing
advantage, and a Lions voice from the crowd asked him to remember a word
beginning with ‘a’ and ending in ‘e’………another Lions voice was heard to
mutter ‘ar*ehole’!!
On the stroke of half time Lions mounted a strong attack
with Tristan Wati to the fore. Darlington were penalised for killing
the ball, and their flanker was despatched to the bin. This time Glenn
Bond made no mistake. ( 6 – 3 )
Half time
Darlington 6 Lions 3
Scant reward for Lions from a lot of honest endeavour,
but at least Darlington were a man down, and we expected Lions to come
out with all guns blazing. Instead, a knock on from a dreadful passing
movement allowed the Darlington backs to get to within site of the Lions
line from the ensuing scrum. The forwards then waded in to drive over
for the all-important first score. The conversion attempt was well
wide. ( 11 – 3 )
Lions had a chance to reduce the deficit from the kick
off, but Glenn Bond’s 40 metres penalty was short. Back came
Darlington, and from the only real flowing move of the match, they moved
the ball quickly from right to left to create room for the wing to crash
over in the corner. He then added a beautiful touchline conversion to
leave Lions well adrift. ( 18 – 3 )
Darlington’s binned player returned, with 2 tries being
scored in his absence……..but neither of them by Lions!!
Lions were penalised after a loooooooooong ar*ehole was
played, and an excellent kick from 45 metres extended their lead. ( 21
– 3 )
Gareth Collins left the field sporting a nasty graze on
his shin courtesy of a stray boot in a ruck, to be replaced by Tim
Douglas.
At last Lions threatened a score as Scott Clendenning-Fenton
broke from midfield, but Darlington simply conceded the penalty. Tommy
Turner was blatantly flattened well after the whistle had gone, but none
of the officials saw the offence, and the culprit, who had already spent
time in the bin, escaped unpunished. Glenn Bond slotted the penalty. (
21 – 6 )
Mark Ellis replaced Danny Collins, but more handling
errors by Lions allowed Darlington to sweep downfield, where their
forwards again drove over to score. The conversion was wide. ( 26 – 6
)
With full time approaching, dithering play in their own
22 by Lions conceded a penalty, which was despatched to the corner. The
Darlington pack did the rest to secure the bonus point and end a
miserable afternoon for the Lions
Final result:
also see
picture gallery
Darlington 31 Lions 6
Don's musings
Today Lions put out the backs that had performed so well
against the Navy last week, but this week they looked a totally
different outfit. Whereas against the Navy it was all pace and power,
today it was all fumble and fudge. This might sound like a kids’ TV
program, but today was certainly less entertaining. At the moment it
seems that pulling on a Lions first team jersey reduces players to a
mere shadow of their full potential.
So where do we go from here? Well it is certainly not
guaranteed that we will be playing in Midlands 1 next season. Currently
the league stands:
Darlington MP 46 points from 23 games
Blaydon 46 points from 22 games
Cleckheaton 46 points from 24 games
Lions 40 points from 24 games
Dudley K 36 points from 24 games
Bedford A 29 points from 24 games
Darlington MP To play Macclesfield, Halifax, Fylde
Blaydon To play Lions, Kendal, New Brighton,
Halifax
Cleckheaton To play Bradford & Bingley, Tynedale
Lions To play Blaydon, Bedford A
Dudley K To play Kendal, Fylde
Bedford A To play Tynedale, Lions
So you see, if Lions beat Blaydon and Bedford, and just
one of the other teams loses all their matches……..the job’s a good un!!
So come on lads……that’s all there is too it!!
As they say, it’s not over until the fat lady
sings……..well she’s not singing, but she’s certainly got big breaths and
the conductor has got a firm grip on his baton!!
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