National Division 3 - North

Lions continued their “Jekyll and Hyde” season, grinding out an uncompromising draw against a young and enthusiastic Tynedale, who were superbly marshalled by the cultured boot of fly half Phil Belgian.  Trailing at half time and conceding an early try in the second half, Lions fought back to score 2 late tries to level things.  Both sides had chances to take the spoils, but Allan Mitchell’s conversion of Ben Clarke’s last-gasp try grazed the wrong side of the post, and Phil Belgian’s injury time drop goal screwed just wide. 

With Matt Goode “popping” a shoulder during the warm-up, New Zealander James Hunt took poll position on the starting grid (that’s the first and only reference to your alter ego…….I promise,  James!!), with young Jamie Tyers moving to the bench. 

Lions got off to a dream start with a superb midfield break by James Hawken.  James Hunt was on his shoulder to continue the move and deliver the perfect inside pass for Allan Mitchell to cut in off his wing and cross by the posts.  Mitch also added the conversion.  ( 0 – 7 ) 

However, Lions now seemed to sit back and allow Tynedale to come back at them.  Good support play by forwards and backs created the space for lock Graeme Smith to charge over by the posts, and Phil Belgian added the simple conversion.  ( 7 – 7 ) 

A brilliant weaving run by Ben Clarke from a long Tynedale kick set up a promising position, but not for the last time during the afternoon, poor handling and a penalty allowed Tynedale to clear.  It was all Tynedale now, and Lions had to endure a concerted spell of pressure.  Eventually the line was broken, as the Lions defence was again sucked out of position for centre Barry Hills to finish off a flowing move in the corner.  This time Phil Belgian’s conversion was pushed wide.  ( 12 – 7 ) 

Lions at last started to show some passion in their play, and a quick tap at a penalty put Paul Thompson through, and Simon Hepher continued the move with a storming run to within a couple of metres of the Tynedale line.  The ball was quickly recycled, but another handling error allowed Tynedale to clear. 

Lions were soon back on the attack, and when Tynedale were penalised for going over the top at the breakdown, Allan Mitchell converted the simple kick from the 22.  ( 12 – 10 ) 

Another long spell of Tynedale pressure followed, but this time Lions’ tackling was firm and sure.  Phil Belgian’s tactical kicking was constantly driving Lions back, but they stuck manfully to their task.   

Andy Regan limped off with a cut head (honest!!) and James Cooper came on as “blood” replacement.  Allan Mitchell moved to fly half, with James filling the wing slot. 

Lions were now enjoying a little more possession than they had been previously, and from a good forward drive, Tynedale were again penalised.  Allan Mitchell’s strike was solid, and Lions were back in front.  ( 12 – 13 ) 

Lions were now penalised several times in quick succession, although it was difficult to tell what for from the strange signals that the referee gave, which constantly puzzled both sets of supporters.  Simon Hepher was given a strong talking to by the referee, and from the resultant penalty, Phil Belgian took Tynedale back in front with a simple kick from in front of the posts.  ( 15 – 13 ) 

With half time fast approaching, Lions should now have been battening down the hatches, but some paper-thin tackling allowed Tynedale to break dangerously downfield.  The Lions cover was across to halt the move, but when Lions were penalised for killing the ball, the unlucky Ben Clarke was singalled out for a yellow card.  Phil Belgian was again on target as the referee blew for half time. 

Half time 

Tynedale  18      Lions  13 

Andy Regan returned to the fray suitably stitched up, but Lions knew that they were in for a torrid first ten minutes as Tynedale looked to take advantage of their extra man…….and they didn’t disappoint!! 

A break from the base of the scrum again saw lovely support play result in wing Ben Duncan racing over wide out.  Just the start Lions didn’t want!!  Phil Belgian’s conversion drifted narrowly wide.  ( 23 – 13 ) 

More powder-puff tackling from Lions saw Tynedale break deep downfield, and only a wayward pass prevented another score. 

Ben Clark returned Lions to full strength as Glen Carson replaced Steve Halsey, with Simon Hepher taking over at lock.  Lions were now well and truly under the cosh, but suddenly Allan Mitchell did a “Gareth Collins” and intercepted a Tynedale pass in his own 22 and set off for the line pursued by a baying pack of would-be Tynedale tacklers.  Unfortunately Mitch’s legs aren’t as young as Gareth’s and they just wouldn’t go fast enough and he was overhauled on the Tynedale 22.   

Carl Southwell now replaced Matt Davies. 

Lions were now starting to claw themselves back into the game.  Gaps were created and players put clear, but several excellent chances again went begging due to poor passing and handling.  So frustrating after the sure handling of last week. 

Just as the travelling hordes of Lions supporters (all 4 of us!!) were resigning themselves to the fact that Lions would never score, a penalty was despatched to the corner.  At least the line-out had worked well most of the afternoon, so could it work just one more time.  The throw was good, the take was clean, and the drive was on.  The Lions pack proved unstoppable, and it was Carl Southwell who claimed the touchdown.  Again, Mitch’s conversion slid just wide.  ( 23 – 18 ) 

At last Lions were in bonus point territory, and now began to step up their game.  Tynedale were on the ropes as Lions attacks drove them back.  Only a series of penalties halted Lions’ progress, and at last the referee lost his patience and despatched the Tynedale offender to the bin. 

The penalty was tapped to the corner.  Another penalty as Tynedale pulled down the ruck.  Again to the corner.  Another huge Lions drive, but this time they were held up over the line.  An attacking scrum and again Lions drive in, but this time a knock on gives Tynedale the scrum.  Surely the last chance gone.  But wait……for once Phil Belgian’s clearance fails to find touch, and Ben Clark takes a clean catch on half way. 

The full back sets off for the Tynedale line, and looks for the inside pass.  Luckily, so did the whole of the advancing Tynedale defence, as Ben swerved outside and raced down the touchline to dive over wide out for a brilliant individual try.  With the scores level, and 40 minutes up, everything rested on Mitch’s conversion……..but again it was agonisingly just wide.  ( 23 – 23 ) 

In injury time, with everyone settling for a draw, Lions try to run from defence with a clear overlap and Gareth Collins waiting to race the full length of the field to clinch the victory.  Unfortunately, the ball never reached him (as it hadn’t done for most of the afternoon) as it was knocked on in midfield.  Now it was Phil Belgian’s turn to emulate World Cup glory with a last-minute drop goal……but this time the kick was screwed just wide as the referee blew for full time. 

Final result: 

Tynedale  23      Lions  23

Don's musings 

In some ways Lions were lucky to come away from Tynedale with a draw…….and yet if they had played anything like the previous week against Cleckheaton, or at least taken half of the chances that went begging, they could so easily have won this match.  There again, Tynedale must be kicking themselves for not taking the full 5 points from this game.  With Lions a man down (Ben Clarke enjoying an extended half time in the bin), and having scored a try within minutes of the resumption, Tynedale could, and probably should, have gone on to run up a big score. 

It says a lot for the character of the Lions team that, even though not playing well, they were able to dig deep and come up with the goods to earn a draw.  As Hawkes said after the game, “not many teams will go to Tynedale this season and come away with a result”. 

One worrying aspect of the game was the number of injuries that the team seemed to pick up.  I’m afraid that could all be down to me!!  I’m afraid that I tempted fate before the game by saying how well we had done with injuries this season, having basically the same squad each week to choose from.  Then we were told that Matt Goode had popped his shoulder…….then Andy Regan went off with a cut eye……then Kelvin Todd seemed to play the last quarter of the game nursing his ribs……then Tristan Wati and Dave Jackson came into the clubhouse limping like 3-legged dogs!! 

Let’s hope that the knocks respond to treatment over the next week ready for the visit of Bradford and Bingley.  It certainly looks as though Matt will be out for a while as his shoulder is a recurring injury, and it now seems likely that the surgery he was contemplating at the end of the season will have to be brought forward.  The good thing is that this year Lions have a strength in depth that means there are people ready and waiting to step into the breach and show what they can do in the first team.  The pride of pulling on the Lions’ jersey seems to have returned at last.