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Following good performances against the League’s top teams in recent
weeks, Lions’ supporters were looking for a win against lowly Dudley
Kingswinford to ease their relegation fears. Instead the Shed was
subject to probably the worst 40 minutes “rugby” of the season as Lions
turned in an abject first half performance. They were finally indebted
to the boot of young fullback Glenn Bond to earn them a draw and keep
alive their hopes of National League rugby next season.
Allan
Mitchell returned to the wing berth, with Andrew Kaminsa dropping to the
bench. In the pack, with the front row injury count mounting, Tristan
Wati and Jamie Tyers started at prop. There was a welcome return for
Simon Hepher at lock, whilst Glen Carson started on the bench along with
Mark Ellis and Will Jones.
Any
hopes of a stirring performance were quickly dispelled as Lions started
with missed touch kicks, missed tackles, and missed opportunities. On
the other hand, DK looked to be up for the fight, and completely
dominated the opening exchanges, as Lions looked like a set of
individuals who had never played together before, and had no idea of a
game plan.
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Lions
had an early let-off when Andrew Maclellan somehow managed to screw his
penalty kick wide from the simplest of positions. It took Lions nearly
10 minutes to even set foot in DK territory, never mind threaten their
line. However, it was Lions that took the lead on 25 minutes, when a
strong run by Tim Douglas following a rare forward drive earned a
penalty 22 metres out. Up stepped Glenn Bond to strike the ball firm
and true. ( 3 – 0 ) |
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Lions
had another let-off when Paul Thompson picked up from the base of a
scrum and set off on a strong run. Unfortunately, none of his team
mates were aware of his intentions, as he was completely isolated in the
tackle, and DK easily stole the ball to launch a counter-attack. Steven
Smart made good ground and a lovely chip and gather left him with only
Glenn Bond to beat. The young fullback just did enough to force the
winger to put a foot in touch as he tried to beat him on the outside.
However, it wasn’t long before the Shed was groaning in disbelief as Ben
Connett picked up from a close in scrum to brush aside Alex Nash’s
tackle down the blind side to cross for the simplest of tries. To be
fair, Alex looked to slip as he broke from the scrum and it is probably
the first tackle he has missed all season. However, it just about
summed up the Lions dreadful performance. Andrew Maclellan made up for
his earlier miss with a well-struck conversion. ( 3 – 7 )
A
Lions’ penalty failed to find touch (again!!!), and DK stormed
downfield. Lions were awarded another penalty, but to the Shed’s
despair the decision was reversed for some indiscipline from Lions, and
Andrew Maclellan extended DK’s lead. ( 3 – 10 )
Lions
had an excellent opportunity to register a try when a kickable penalty
was despatched to the corner. The catch was good, but Lions were
penalised in the drive, to add to the frustration. However, when
Lions were awarded another penalty, Glenn Bond slotted the ball home. (
6 -10 )
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With
half time approaching, the Lions’ faithful were looking for the
whistle to allow their troops to re-gather. Unfortunately,
there was still time for some non-existing tackling in midfield
to allow Warren Port to slice through and stretch over.
The centre looked to have bounced the ball as he stretched over
when the cover hit him, but the referee awarded the try.
Andrew Maclellan’s conversion had Lions staring down the
barrel.
Half Time
Lions 6 Dudley Kingswinford 17
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| The ball being dropped over the line |
With
Mark Ellis on for Alex Nash, Lions started the second half with far more
purpose, and quickly reduced the deficit with another lovely Glenn Bond
strike from 35 metres. ( 9 – 17 )
At
last the Shed could see a chink of light at the end of the tunnel.
Ricky Hyslop was hurt in a typical strong burst, and was replaced by
Andrew Kaminsa, who took up the wing berth with Matt Goode moving to
centre. Lions were at last started to pose a threat to the DK defence,
and another Glenn Bond penalty at last had the Shed smiling. ( 12 – 17
)
Lions
put themselves under pressure with some poor play from the kick off, but
a massive hit in midfield (I think it was Matt Goode), averted the
danger. Will Jones took to the fray in place of Matt Davies.
Glenn
Bond was twice cool under pressure from probing DK kicks, but suddenly
we had a moment of madness. Coach mark Ellis was singled out by the
referee at a ruck and given a straight red card for illegal use of the
knee.
Lions
had been clawing their way back into the game, but the dismissal looked
to have put paid to this, especially when Andrew Maclellan put over the
resultant penalty. ( 12 – 20 )
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It
was sh*t or bust for Lions now, as Glen Carson replaced Paul Thompson
and made an instant impact. When a kickable penalty was despatched to
the corner, a perfectly executed take and drive brought the long-awaited
try, with Glen claiming the touch-down. Glenn Bond’s conversion from
wide out slid just wide. ( 17 – 20 ) |
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The
Shed were now in full voice as a great Andy Regan break and some lovely
inter-passing almost brought another score, but the final pass just
didn’t go to hand. Lions maintained the pressure, and the ball was
moved cross-field, but again the break just wouldn’t come. A Lions’
lineout and a good catch from Simon Hepher again saw Lions driving in.
With minutes to go, Lions were awarded a penalty in a very kickable
position. Should they go for the win, or settle for the draw? The
latter looked the likelier option to succeed, and it would at least deny
DK the 4 points. The pressure on the shoulders of young Glenn Bond was
immense, but the young fullback took it in his stride as he coolly
slotted the ball between the posts for the game to end with honours
even.
Final Score
Lions 20 Dudley Kingswinford 20
Don's musings
We
all thought that the bad old days of Lions playing just below the
opposition that has been prevalent for the last 3 seasons had long gone,
but I’m afraid that today they came back to haunt us. This was a game
of 3 halves. The first saw Lions behaving like headless chickens. A
performance anywhere near those produced in recent weeks would have seen
DK off with ease, but instead it was DK who dominated all aspects of
play to go in at half time with a well-deserved lead.
After
the break was another story. Ella’s introduction was a revelation. He
looked to have made more tackles in the first 15 minutes of the second
half than the whole Lions’ team managed in the first half. Then came
the moment of madness when the red mist descended and the red card
ascended. Strangely enough, this seemed to galvanise Lions and
signalled the third half of the game when at last Lions showed a little
of what they are capable off, but still without reaching their full
potential.
So
just what went wrong today? Is the pressure getting to the players?
Did they think that after their recent good performances, today would be
a walk in the park? Whatever the reasons, Lions have got to put this
game firmly behind them. There are 3 crucial games left, and the Lions
are certainly capable of winning all 3. It’s easy to say, but they have
to relax into them, and the performances will come.
We
now have a 2 week break before the trip to Darlington. 2 weeks for some
injuries to clear. 2 weeks for the coaching staff to regroup the troops
and get them into the right frame of mind for the battle to come. 2
weeks for the players to realise just what they are capable of and build
up the resolve to deliver. It’s Jacobs on the block time!!
Talk
amongst the supporters in the clubhouse after the game was one of
defiance. We haven’t come this far to fail at the last hurdle. The
players can take heart that we won’t abandon them at this stage of the
season. We’ll be there in Darlington to cheer them on come what may.
Bloody hell, I’m starting to sound like Winston Churchill!!! Time for a
pint!! |
