With a strong wind at their backs, Lions started strongly and secured the four try bonus point after only 25 minutes. The scoring began in the second minute with Dom Wareing forcing his way over following an assist from James Hawken who also converted the try. Lions were totally dominant at this stage and a lovely run from Hawks produced a simple try for Ade Hales, again converted by Hawks. Matt Goode then touched down but was penalised for a double movement.

Tommy Turner combined with Wareing who in turn fed Hawks for another easy score and it was all looking very comfortable for the Lions who seemed to be able to score at will. The bonus point was soon in the bag when Dom Wareing collected a lovely chip from Tommy Turner to touch down in the right hand corner.

Following a series of penetrating driving runs from the forwards, Tommy Turner spun a lovely long pass to Ade Hales who had come in to the line from his wing. He drew the defender and slipped the ball to James Hawken who in turn fed Dom Wareing for his third try. Hawks converted for a comfortable lead and with Orrell looking totally demoralised the small band of travelling supporters were expecting more of the same in the second half.

The half time talk in the Orrell dressing room must have been pretty colourful as they started to play with pride and commitment. This combined with the fact that the game was already won in the visitor’s eyes, resulted in Orrell dominating the second period with play almost entirely confined to the Lion’s half.

A lovely run from Ade Hales was halted just short of the line and the danger was cleared. The Lion’s play was a pale shadow of that in the first half with numerous basic errors creeping in and turnovers being conceded at regular intervals.

Orrell deservedly got on the scoreboard following a close in drive with a converted try. This resulted in the sound of distant drums echoing around the stadium as the home supporters got behind their team. They continued to put the Lions under pressure and it was no surprise when their diminutive fly half dummied to no one in particular and strolled through some paper-thin defence to score under the posts to reduce the deficit to 14-31.

The visitor’s commitment in the second half was perhaps highlighted when following a penalty attempt by Hawks that fell just short into the wind, the first player to pressure the defenders was prop Phil Greenbury.

Lions did have the last say, however scoring from their own 22 with the superb James Hawken again heavily involved. He started the move off, and following strong runs from Wareing and Hales, collected the return pass. He then drew the fullback before supplying the scoring pass for Tommy Turner to touch down. The conversion attempt into the strong breeze was just wide to make the final score 14-36.

The last time Rugby Lions played Orrell in an away game it was not at the old familiar ground, famous for its pies, at Edge Hall Road, but at the JJB Stadium. It was the first game of the 2002/03 season, in National 1, and the Lions took the opportunity to dry off some damp team shirts, laying them out on the pitch, in the warm August sun, before the game. Despite getting back to 17-16 from an early 17-6 deficit, Rugby were eventually outclassed, and from a halftime score of 27-16 they ultimately went down by 70-23. By the end of the season Orrell were in fourth place and Rugby, winless and woeful, were last and relegated.

Back to the present, and things have been turned upside down as the two clubs meet in National 3 North; Rugby having been promoted and Orrell relegated to precipitate the meeting. Orrell now seem to be in freefall, a phenomenon with which the Lions, from recent experience, are all too familiar, but they have since demonstrated that there is a way back. Prop, Phil Greenbury is the only player in the current 1^st XV squad who played in that game just over four years ago.

So far this season Orrell have failed to win any of their league games, and last week they lost 49-5 to Longton, of Midlands 1 in the first round of the EDF Energy National Trophy Competition. National 3 North clubs who have beaten Orrell on home soil are, Cleckheaton, Leicester Lions, Morley, Darlington MP and Preston Grasshoppers. Clubs who have taken the four points on the road are, Hull Ionians, Macclesfield and Tynedale. To make matters worse Orrell had 6 points deducted for fielding some unregistered players so, with 3 bonus points, they presently have a points total of -3.

Although Edge Hall Road is not a happy hunting ground for the Rugby species of Lion, the form book suggests that richer pickings than usual should be available, provided that the prey is treated with respect due to its pedigree.