Rugby’s game plan was to run everything, although this did lead to a few handling errors with the wet ball. Lion’s next try came during a downpour in the thirteenth minute, again involving Hales down the left wing. This time the supporting Danny Facer claimed the try in the corner. Hawken again converted from the touchline for a 14-0 lead. Strong runs from Tommy Booth and Dominic Wareing put James Hawken in space down the right but as the tackle came in he failed to see Michael Rust who was clear on his right shoulder and the chance was lost. The subsequent play then became very scrappy with both sides making numerous handling errors. In the thirty second minute Orrell were penalised for handling on the floor and James Hawken made no mistake to make the score 17-0.

Lions replaced Tim Douglas with Peter Glackin at the start of the second half, and a lovely back’s move reminiscent of some of the early season play, led to Hawks coming into the back line at speed, but with Ade Hales free on his left shoulder he again chose to take the tackle. The ball was kept alive, however and Orrell were penalised for offside. The three points were spurned in favour of a five metre lineout, which proved to be a wise decision as Rugby’s drive was unstoppable, and Phil Greenbury claimed the fourth try and the extra bonus point. The conversion attempt was again pulled to the left of the posts.

A lovely break from Toby Handley was halted by a tackle which appeared to be rather on the high side except by the referee, although in the ensuing ruck, Orrell’s scrum half came through and took out Toby while the ball was still in, and he was shown a yellow card. Worse was to follow for Orrell when their hooker was also given ten minutes in the sin bin for stamping. Danny Facer, Phil Greenbury and Ade Hales were replaced by Paul Thompson, Matt Davies and Warren Coles and with the visitors down to thirteen players you would have expected the Lions to increase their lead. Due to some wrong options and sloppy play, Orrell managed to play out the ten minutes without conceding until some good clearing out by Matt Lister gave Tristan Wati a sight of the try line, and you don’t stop him from five metres. The conversion again drifted left to leave the score at 32-0.

The feisty side of Orrell’s play came to the fore when, from the restart, Alex Nash was hit hard by their hooker whilst still in the air. Alex took exception to this and handbags were flying in all directions. When the referee finally gained control, the Orrell hooker was shown a second yellow card, followed by a red.