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Rugby Lions maintained their one hundred percent home
record with a close hard fought win over Cleckheaton. The early exchanges
saw the visitors shade possession and territory although the constant
whistle was not helping the game’s flow, and both sides struggled to
penetrate their opponents 22. Penalty kicks from both sides were missed
in the strong breeze.
Lion’s influential captain Matt Davies was forced to
leave the field early on with a shoulder injury and was replaced by Sam
Overton. The main tactic employed from both teams was the pick and drive
with Tristan Wati to the fore for the home team and when Lion’s backs
did have the ball they unusually lacked a cutting edge, not helped by a
series of knock-ons and some determined defence from the visitors.
As the half developed, Rugby started to get on top and
strong runs from Toby Handley and Paul Thompson led to a ruck 15 metres
from the visitor’s line. Toby picked up and passed to James Hawken on
the left wing who ran in and dived over the line. Unfortunately James
was forced to put a foot in touch by a tackler and the try was
disallowed.
A strong drive by the home pack was halted when the
visitors pulled it down and although this went unpunished the ball was
recycled, and when Dominic Wareing received the ball on the 22, he
showed his strength by staying on his feet and driving to within 5
metres of the try line, taking three defenders with him. Lion’s pack
then drove over the line but the score was denied when the referee
deemed the ball to be held up.
Half Time: - Rugby Lions 0 Cleckheaton 0
Lions bought on Wilf Barclay to replace James Wadey
with Paul Thompson reverting to second row, and maintained the momentum
straight from the kick off with a strong run from Wareing. Alex Nash
took the ball on, and Tristan Wati reached the visitor’s 22 before the
ball was lost forward in the tackle.
Rugby were dominating at this stage and Peter Glackin
finally got the scoreboard moving with a drop goal from 30 metres that
just had enough on it to scrape over the crossbar. A lovely delayed pass
from Glackin freed Matt Goode down the center of the pitch. He chipped
the ball ahead and Wareing pounced on it to set up the ruck. The ball
was swung left via Sam Viggers to Ade Hales, and for the first time in
the match the tackle was poor, allowing Hales to scamper over for the
try. Hawken hit the post with the conversion attempt.
Cleckheaton came back strongly and although they could
not get into the Lion’s 22, they reduced the deficit with two penalties
by fly half Quinn. Lions then drove Toby Handley over the try line but
again the referee decided the ball was not grounded. The visitors were
under severe pressure at this stage and when the pack drove over the try
line again the try looked certain as the ball was definitely grounded.
The referee decided otherwise however and awarded a 5-metre scrum to the
amazement of the Lion’s players. Talking to some of the Cleckheaton
players after the game they admitted the try was good.
Although it was one-way traffic, with only a
two-point lead the home supporters were feeling a little uneasy, and
Matt Goode tried to ease their worries with a dropped goal attempt that
went just under the crossbar. More pressure on the visitor’s try line
continued and an offside offence gave Hawken the chance of the three
points which he took, and the offender Salama was harshly shown a yellow
card.
Cleckheaton are a much stronger outfit than when the
teams last met two seasons ago when they only just escaped relegation at
Lion’s expense. Although they never threatened Rugby’s try line, they
defended resolutely and are a tough nut to crack.
Next week sees a return to cup action with the visit of
highflying Tynedale who comprehensively defeated Preston to go into
third place in the league. |
