Lions stuck with the same team that competed so well against Darlington last week, but brought Ben Clark and Wilf Barclay onto the bench after good performances with the Wanderers.  Lions supporters were a little puzzled with the DK program, which numbered the Lions’ backs as the forwards and vice versa.  Was this a cunning plan by BrettanElla to deceive the opposition into a false sense of security?  It would certainly have caused a few raised eyebrows amongst the opposition seeing Tristan Wati run out with 15 on his back, and Tim Douglas in the number 4 shirt!!  

However, Lions started with players in their normal positions and a strong breeze at their backs.  An early penalty gave Dave Jackson a tilt from a quick tap, but the ball was spilt for the first scrum of the game.  Lions pack showed their strength as they powered their way forward to keep DK on the back foot. 

The backs also showed that they could turn it on, but a couple of early chances went begging.  First good support play almost put Andy Regan through, then Matt Goode made the break, but his pass to the support was deemed forward. 

Carl Southwell was soon in the wars, and had to leave the field with a twisted back to be replaced by Matt Davies. 

All the early pressure was from Lions, but as last week they could not get that vital score.  Instead it was DK who worked their way up field, and when Lions were penalised for not being 10 metres back at a line out, up stepped Mike Swingwood to club the ball over.  Get it??  Swingwood….club…..oh, never mind!!  ( 3 – 0 ) 

This only served to sting Lions into action, as they tore into DK from the kick off.  The forwards did the initial damage taking play to within 10 metres of the DK line.  When the move looked to have been held, Tristan Wati burst down the blind and slipped a lovely pass to Gareth Collins as 2 men hit him.  Gareth wasted no time in cutting inside the cover to score a lovely try under the posts.  Allan Mitchell added the conversion.  ( 3 – 7 ) 

DK were taking full advantage of some lenient refereeing to play the offside to the limit, which served to stifle the enterprising Lions.  However, 5 minutes later and Gareth Collins was racing in at the corner for his second try after good work from James Hawken and Tristan Wati.  Allan Mitchell’s touchline conversion was wide in the swirling breeze.  ( 3 – 12 ) 

Lions almost added to their tally with a well-executed move between Matt Goode and Andy Regan that saw the fly half striding away with just the full back to beat and Gareth Collins outside waiting for the pass that would provide his hat trick.  Unfortunately the pass was delayed and was intercepted by the retreating defence to clear the danger. 

Gareth was almost away again as Paul Thompson broke strongly from the base of a scrum, and he combined with James Hawken to give the flying wing some space………but again the cover managed to smother the danger. 

Lions had yet another opportunity to extend their lead on the stroke of half time.  They were awarded a penalty 10 metres out when another strong forward drive was halted illegally.  Lions were dominating the scrums, so why was the ball tapped to the corner when the one area that Lions were showing vulnerability was in the lineout??  True to form, the line was lost and the danger cleared. 

Half time 

Dudley Kingswinford  3               Lions  12 

Lions could, and should, have been well clear by now if they had accepted some of the try-scoring chances that had gone begging.  At least chances were creating chances.  Could Lions create more in the second half, or would DK now dominate with the wind at their backs?  The next score would be critical. 

With 20 minutes to go, Lions brought on Ben Clark and Wilf Barclay for Tim Douglas and Mark Ellis.  Wilf was quickly on the rampage from a short pass in midfield, and it looked as though his fresh legs were going to carry him over, but he was hauled down within the shadow of the DK posts.  However, Lions were awarded the scrum at the ruck, and when Paul Thompson picked up and drove in from the base of the scrum, Wilf was on hand to pick up and dive over with a somewhat more stylish effort than that of Gareth last week!!  Allan Mitchell added the simple conversion to put Lions well in command.  ( 3 – 31 ) 

The Lions were now well and truly rampant…….not a pretty sight…..and following another yellow card for a DK player for killing the ball illegally, Lions counter attacked from a desperate DK clearance from defence.  The ball passed through several pairs of hands before Ben Clark raced down the right touchline to cross in the corner.  Allan Mitchell’s conversion attempt was held up in the strong breeze.  ( 3 – 36 ) 

Don's Musings 

This was a much improved performance from last week, and one in which BrettanElla and the whole team can be proud.  The forwards were totally in command with some powerful scrummaging and good foraging in the loose.  The backs looked far more confident and incisive.  Being picky….which is the prerrog  prerogg  perogra  right of all supporters, the line out needs to be improved……..but this did not go un-noticed by the coaches and we look for improved performances in the coming weeks. 

Overall the support play was particularly impressive, with people taking the tackle and looking for the support, which was inevitably there.  This meant that ball retention was far better than last week, as was the penalty count against us, and the defence was much improved with big hits coming in throughout the game. 

Things are certainly starting to come together, and the players can start to build on their new-found confidence.  With Wanderers’ players being given their opportunity following good performances, the players in possession know that their places are not guaranteed, and this healthy competition can only increase players’ appetites for the game. 

The second league game of a new season and here’s a second brand new adversary for the Lions in the shape of Dudley Kingswinford. Hitherto the Black Country men have only been encountered as pre-season trial opposition. That particular game took place just prior to the start of Lions “annus horribilis” of 2002/03 and, with a team shorn of its best three-quarters, Rugby lost 10-5. 

Dudley Kingswinford aka Dudley K or even DK joined National Division 3 North in the first season of the new Millennium and finished it in a creditable sixth place. Their big push for further promotion in 2001/02 was frustrated by the rapidly rising star of Doncaster who forced DK into second place. This took the wind out of their sails and they dropped back to tenth place at the end of 2002/03. Last season they finished eleventh, equal on points with tenth placed, newly promoted Darlington. 

The Lions have got off to the new season with as good a start as we could have hoped for, but without playing to their full potential. The players and their coaches all acknowledge that there is still work to be done, but there now seems to be an extra determination to succeed. What better opportunity than the first away game of the season to further demonstrate the Lions’ new-found sense of purpose.

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