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Lions met a Halifax side at the peak of their form and
brimful of confidence, leading the League by a comfortable margin, and
with 4 games in hand over most of their nearest rivals. They have not
lost a game this season, and their record was never in doubt on a bright
and breezy spring afternoon. However, Lions need not be despondent
after this defeat, as again they turned in a committed and spirited
performance.
Scott Clendenning-Fenton returned at scrum half, but
there were wholesale changes in the pack due to injuries and work
commitments. Matt Davies and Simon Keller came into the front row, Karl
Braband took over from Simon Hepher at lock, and Alex Nash returned at
flanker when Mark Ellis had to cry off early on Saturday morning
following a call from work. Allan Mitchell, Tristan Wati, Jamie Tyers,
and Wilf Barclay were the bums on the bench.
Lions started brightly with a stiff breeze behind them.
Early pressure brought a penalty chance for Glenn Bond, and the young
fullback made no mistake from 35 metres. ( 0 – 3 )
This stung Halifax, and they soon showed what they were
capable of, with powerful forward play setting up the platform for the
ball to be spun cross-field at pace for the overlap to claim a simple
try. The conversion was pushed wide. ( 5 – 3 )
There was hardly time to draw breath before Halifax were
back in Lions territory. A mistake over numbers in the lineout gave
away a free kick, and the forwards again drove to the shadow of the
posts, then more good hands spun the ball wide for the wing to race over
in the corner. The conversion from wide out was short. ( 10 – 3 )
A disagreement at a ruck saw Danny Collins being
consigned to the bin along with the Halifax winger, but Lions were
awarded the penalty, which Matt Goode despatched to the corner. A good
take saw the Lions forwards driving in, but the Halifax defence was as
impressive as their attack, and Lions had to be satisfied with another
beautifully struck penalty from Glenn Bond. ( 10 – 6 )
Now it was the Lions’ defence that was tested, as a
series of close-in scrums threatened another score. Lions defence held
firm to repel several powerful drives, but the pressure was too much as
the Halifax pack drove over. Again the conversion was missed. ( 15 – 6
)
Kelvin Todd injured an elbow in trying to stem the tide,
and was replaced by Tristan Wati.
Halifax were playing some brilliant possession rugby,
with forwards and backs combining at breakneck speed. However, the
Lions’ defence never shirked its responsibility, and several promising
moves were frustrated. Deep into added time, and Lions made a mess of a
defensive scrum to give Halifax the put in. Lions managed to disrupt
the drive, but the referee deemed that this had been done illegally, and
rather harshly awarded a penalty try. This time the simple conversion
was added.
Half time
Hailfax
22 Lions 6
Lions started the second half in determined mood, and
several good pick ups and drives by the forwards yielded a penalty.
This was moved forward 10 metres when Halifax did not retreat at the
quick tap, and Glenn Bond again made no mistake. ( 22 – 9 )
Again the Halifax scoring machine revved up, and only a
superb flying tackle from Andrew Kaminsa prevented another score. More
pressure followed, but the Lions’ defence was performing heroically.
Allan Mitchell took to the field in place of Andrew
Kaminsa.
Incessant pressure from Halifax finally paid off when the
pack drove over from a line-out. Again the conversion was wide.
Allan Mitchell caught the eye with a lovely break, and
good support took Lions to within a couple of metres of the Halifax
line, but they just couldn’t breach the last line of defence.
Wilf Barclay replaced the struggling Danny Collins who
looked to have more strapping than an Egyptian Mummy as he removed his
shirt on leaving the field. More good work by Allan Mitchell in taking
a high kick under pressure, then making good ground, set up another
Lions’ attack. Driving play created a half-chance, and there was Wilf
Barclay to take a short pass and burst clear. A perfectly timed pass to
the supporting Scott Clendenning-Fenton saw the scrum half scamper under
the posts. Glenn Bond added the conversion. ( 27 – 16 )
A see saw last 10 minutes saw the Halifax number 8 pick
up from the base of a 5 metres scrum and power over. Halifax changed
their kicker, but the result was the same!! ( 32 – 16 )
Another bullocking run from Wilf Barclay almost brought
another score at the other end, but again the attack faltered on the
rock-solid Halifax defence.
Just time for one more classic try from Halifax, as the
wing showed what a good line of running can do by cutting inside at pace
to race through a bewildered Lions’ defence to cross under the posts.
This time the simple conversion was not missed.
Final result:
Halifax 39 Lions 16
Don's musings
This was by no means a humiliating defeat for Lions.
No-one in the division could have lived with Halifax today. They are a
team that have been playing together for some time, and it showed.
Their support play was exemplary, with the man in possession always
finding someone on his shoulder to offload to.
This is a team that the young Lions should aspire to, and
there is no reason that they shouldn’t rise to the same heights given
the invaluable lessons that this difficult season is teaching them.
It was sad to only see 4 Lions supporters, plus Eddie and
Lorraine, Fred and Scoop at the game today. However, it was even more
puzzling to see less that 200 home supporters in Halifax’s picturesque
ground. Apparently this has been around their average gate all season.
For a side that almost clinched promotion last year, and has not lost a
League game this year, the attendance is even worse than Lions!!
Well, the starters are now out of the way and the main
course is about to be served. The season is now entering a crucial
period for Lions, with the remaining 4 games all against teams occupying
places around or below them. There is absolutely no reason why Lions
should not win every one of these games, which would surely preserve our
National League status.
Lions’ displays have improved in recent weeks, and as
long as the players go out believing that they can win, then with a
little bit of luck, which has not been evident of late, the crucial
winning points should be secured. So come on all you Lions’
supporters. Let’s be having you!! Let’s see you at Webb Ellis Road
next Saturday cheering the team to victory.
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