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Rugby Lions maintained their 100% home record with
the demolition of a one-dimensional Darlington outfit at what is rapidly
becoming fortress Webb Ellis Road.
Lions welcomed back Karl Braband after injury for his
first home game of the season to partner James Wadey in the engine room.
Phil Greenbury also returned at prop after missing last week’s defeat at
Fylde.
On another lovely sunny afternoon, the early
exchanges were fairly feisty with a number of minor off the ball
confrontations. Lions opened the scoring with a penalty from James
Hawken after Paul Thompson was pulled back by his shirt just as he was
about to receive a pass from Ade Hales. Tommy Turner then intercepted a
loose pass on halfway to streak over unopposed. Hawken converted for a
10-0 lead after 10 minutes. Darlington soon hit back with a close range
try from prop Joe Osleton, converted by fly half Charles Raynor.
James Hawken received the ball just outside his
22-metre line and handed off a couple of would be tacklers to feed
Dominic Wareing on half way. He outpaced his opposite number and
streaked down the line in front of the clubhouse to score. The
conversion attempt missed by a whisker.
The visitors were conceding a string of penalties
with punches being thrown and Matt Goode seeming to be the main target.
The referee however seemed very reluctant to produce the yellow card,
much to the shed’s annoyance. Ade Hales crossed the line but was deemed
to be held up, although the referee was playing an advantage for offside
and the penalty was given. The decision was marginal and the unlucky
Francis Collison was sin-binned for his team’s previous misdemeanours.
Wilf Barclay put in a hard but fair tackle on the
visitor’s scrum half David Andrew as he kicked to touch. Andrew reacted
and a minor scuffle took place. Bizarrely Wilf was shown the yellow
card, presumably to even things up.
Lions refused to react to Darlington’s intimidatory
tactics and continued to try and play rugby and following a typical
storming run by Alex Nash, Toby Handley expertly drew the defending
winger to release Matt Goode who strolled over for Rugby’s third try.
Hawken converted to complete the first half scoring.
Half Time: - Rugby Lions 22 Darlington 7
James Hawken scored with an early second half penalty
to keep the momentum going. The four-try bonus point was soon in the bag
when another lovely break by Toby Handley freed Matt Goode down the
left. Ade Hales switched inside, and after drawing the full back, Matt
timed the pass perfectly to allow Hales to score easily. Hawken slotted
the conversion.
A determined drive by the Lions was held up when
Richard Snowball killed the ball from an offside position and was
rightly given 10 minutes in the sin-bin. Hawken slotted the simple
penalty from in front of the posts.
Lions were totally dominant at this stage and it was
only a matter of how many points they could rack up. It is difficult to
assess the quality or otherwise of Darlington’s backs as they hardly
touched the ball in the whole game. The visitor’s one and only tactic
seemed to be the rolling maul – far from pretty to watch and just as
ineffective.
Ade Hales came into the line from deep to free
Dominic Wareing down the right hand touchline.
He crossed the try line but a visiting hand under the
ball denied the score. Although Ade Hales is rightly gaining the
plaudits for his try scoring record, the Lions have an equally effective
winger on the other flank. Dominic’s speed, upper body strength and
lines of running are a joy to watch and they compliment each other
perfectly.
Andy Regan replaced Toby Handley, with the excellent
Sam Viggers reverting to scrum half. A lovely pass from Tommy Turner
found Ade Hales again coming from deep on the opposite flank, and given
that space his second try was not to be denied. The conversion attempt
from the touchline failed.
With Nick Sharpe replacing Paul Thompson it was the
pack’s turn to gain some limelight and a determined charge from Karl
Braband enabled Alex Nash to score by the uprights.
A slick pass from Tommy Turner saw Dominic Wareing
take the ball at great pace to slice through the defence and head for
the posts, only to be denied by a last gasp tackle. From the resulting
ruck, Tristan Wati also took the ball at pace and smashed his way though
one tackle before slipping the ball to James Wadey. The touch down under
the posts meant an easy conversion for James Hawken.
After last week’s disappointing performance it is
good to see the Lions back on track and visiting teams can’t be
relishing their trip to Webb Ellis Road. Rugby now need to repeat this
performance on their away trips to be regarded as serious title
contenders, and the visit to high-flying Morley next week will be a
serious challenge. |
