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Another Saturday, another game that Lions should have won, another poor performance, another narrow loss, and yet another bonus point for coming a close second.  It is difficult to pick out many positives from a game that saw the Lions’ forwards totally dominated in both the scrums and the line-outs, the backs almost totally ineffective as an attacking force, and a display of first up tackling (or lack of!!) that had to be seen to be believed.

Lions had Zambian winger Andrew Kaminsa, apparently on loan from Coventry, making his debut on the wing in place of the sick Gareth Collins.  James Hawken, Ricky Hyslop and Steve Stewart returned at fly half, centre, and lock respectively following injury.  Karl Braband came in at lock in place of Simon Hepher who dropped to the bench after missing training during the week.  New signing Danny Collins started on the bench. 

It was all ‘Dale from the off, as Lions continued their recent habit of conceding penalties at every opportunity.  Lions saw very little of the ball in the initial 10 minutes, but their defence held firm.  That is until it was beaten by a fortuitous try after 10 minutes.  A long ‘Dale pass failed to find its man, but the ball bounced off Will Massey (was it a knock on???) to clear the advancing defence.  A kindly bounce put the fullback away, and a nicely weighted chip over Glenn Bond again bounced favourably for Massey to take and cross by the posts.  The fullback also added the conversion.  ( 0 – 7 ) 

Lions reply was swift and true.  A storming run by Karl Braband took play to the ‘Dale 22, and when the ball was moved inside, Tim Douglas raced through a yawning gap to cut inside the fullback and cross under the posts.  Glenn Bond added the conversion.  ( 7 – 7 ) 

At last Lions were enjoying some possession, despite being shoved around in the scrums and failing to take their own line-out ball with alarming regularity.  Wilf Barclay was held inches short of the line, but ‘Dale were penalised in the shadow of their posts and Glenn Bond added the simple 3 points.  ( 10 – 7 ) 

With Glen Carson suffering from a cut on his nose, Danny Collins took to the field for his Lions’ debut. 

Lions were still giving far too many penalties away, and compounded this by talking back to the referee, which gave Will Massey a chance to equalise from 30 metres.  However the fullback pushed the relatively easy kick just wide. 

Lions again started to exert some pressure, and when a concerted drive was held metres short, Will Massey was adjudged to have killed the ball and was duly despatched to the bin.  The penalty was tapped to the corner, but again ‘Dale easily stole the line-out.  However, a crunching tackle by Wilf Barclay secured the turnover, only for Lions to become embroiled in a skirmish that ended with skipper Steve Stewart joining Will Massey in the bin.  Lions’ advantage had lasted barely a couple of minutes!! 

With Glen Carson now fit to return, Lions chose to leave Danny Collins on, and instead Wilf Barclay was the player replaced.  

With half time approaching, Lions suffered a sucker punch when dreadful tackling allowed ‘Dale to break from their own half, and wing Ben Duncan was on hand to race away to the corner.  With Will Massey counting time down in the bin, stand in kicker Andrew Murray slotted the conversion from wide out.  Not bad for a number 8!! 

Half time 

Lions  10           Tynedale  14

Lions brought Simon Hepher on at half time in place of Karl Braband to try to stop the rot in both scrums and line-outs.  ‘Dale messed up the catch from the kick off, and were penalised for picking the ball up in an offside position.  Glenn Bond slotted the kick from the 22 to bring Lions within a point.  ( 13 – 14 ) 

With Steve Stewart back on, Lions were looking more purposeful, and another penalty allowed Glenn Bond to give Lions the lead with a lovely strike from 35 metres.  ( 16 – 14 ) 

Unfortunately it was ‘Dale who now upped their game, and only desperate defence, plus a couple of penalties for holding on to the ball after the tackle, prevented any score. 

At last Lions managed to win a line-out, and a powerful forward drive looked promising until the ball was spilled in contact.  Now it was ‘Dale’s opportunity to regain the lead, but a Will Massey penalty from 45 metres had the length, but not the accuracy, and Lions breathed again. 

Lions were now staring defeat fully in the face.  However, it seemed that the referee wanted to keep it a fair contest, as he promptly yellow carded the ‘Dale number 8 for the same offence as Ricky.  Crap but consistent!! 

At last Lions started to play as though they meant it.  Simon Hepher took good line-out ball, and a 20 metres forward drive looked promising until ‘Dale seemed to have stopped it illegally, but no penalty was forthcoming.  As the ball was moved inside, again the backs failed to make any impression, and again possession was all too easily surrendered to allow ‘Dale to clear. 

Again Lions come back, and a chip from Andrew Kaminsa after good work by Glen Carson gave him some space, was well taken by the ‘Dale defence and cleared.  Back came Lions after a poor clearance by ‘Dale, and another powerful forward drive won a 5 metres scrum.  Surely Lions could manufacture some kind of score (any kind of score!!) from this position.  Sadly not.  Instead Lions were penalised in the scrum and ‘Dale were again allowed to clear. 

One last effort was all that was needed, but after another good forward drive, the Lions’ backs were penalised for crossing, which just about summed up the afternoon.  It was all too late for Lions as ‘Dale cleared and the referee signalled full-time. 

Final result: 

Lions  16           Tynedale  19

Don's musings 

This is now starting to get serious!!  What is happening at Lions??  After a 2 weeks break, several players returning after injury, and Dale’s star fly half Phil Belgian not playing, a win was surely on the cards.  Instead we get a totally inept performance that sees us yet again throw away another 4 points.  We have avoided talking about relegation so far this season, as another drop would be unthinkable.  However, with 3, and possibly 4 teams going down from this Division, Lions are well and truly staring into the abyss. 

The good news is that Lions still have to play the 4 teams currently below them in the league.  It all starts with a visit to Cleckheaton next week, who managed to thump Blaydon today to move within 1 point of Lions with a game in hand.  We then face Dudley Kingswinford at home, and Darlington and Bedford Athletic away. 

The bad news is that amongst all that lot we have to play 2^nd placed Macclesfield at home, and unbeaten Halifax away.  Wouldn’t it be ironic if Lions won both matches?!?!  I’m afraid we are going to have to see massive improvements in most areas of our game if this is to become a reality.  The only other game we have is Blaydon at home. 

So you can see that we really do have to start to put our game together……and quickly!! 

The Club management obviously realise the urgency of the situation, and have bolstered the squad with a couple of key signings.  Danny Collins looks a more than useful acquisition.  He is not the biggest of back row forwards, but is very much in the mould of Little Ella and Neil Back.  Let’s hope that he can have the same impact as Ella and Backy had for Lions and England. 

Toby Handley is well known to the Lions faithful, having been one of the leading lights in Lions’ fight against relegation last season. 

The one new signing that I would love to see is a class fly half.  Much as I regard Hawkes as a class player, he is not a fly half, and it would be great to see him operating in the centre or on the wing.  What we need is someone who can dictate games for us……just like Paul Turner did several seasons ago!!  Unfortunately such players are few and far between, but in my view this should be the management’s number one priority. 

And so to Cleckheaton.  I keep saying it, and I truly believe that we have the players who are genuinely capable of winning matches.  We now desperately need them to start performing to their full ability.  Cleckheaton would be a great place to start!!

The Lions return home once more after a pointless (in one respect) visit to Bingley and a weekend of watching the England team trying hard to win the wooden spoon (well that’s what it seemed like). It is strange to think that there was a time not so long ago when England having lost games to Wales and France with a points difference total of minus three would have considered it to be something of an achievement.  

Tynedale have played 17 of the scheduled 18 league games so far and have won nine, lost seven and drawn one. They are currently in fifth place, six points behind Fylde who have a game in hand. They are untroubled by relegation worries and they have no hope of catching up league leaders, Halifax and Macclesfield. Their home wins were against Cleckheaton, Darlington Mowden Park, Darlington, Kendal and Dudley Kingswinford. Away from home they beat Bedford Athletic, Blaydon, Bradford & Bingley and Dudley Kingswinford while they lost to Darlington, Halifax, Macclesfield and New Brighton. Last Saturday they lost the replayed game at Fylde. At home they have drawn one and lost two games. Their first defeat was against leaders Halifax and their second, most recent, was in the local derby with Blaydon. Rugby obtained the only draw. 

The Lions went into tenth place behind DMP last weekend and are now poised on the edge of the abyss. There is only one way to go and that is up. Saturday’s game is a must-win occasion with a try bonus point included. No kickable penalties, no too-clever moves, no mouthing within earshot of the ref and no relaxation with less than a 30-point lead. Do the basics well and build the confidence up for the forthcoming visit to Cleckheaton.