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Rugby Lions recorded their first away win of this campaign and bagged the four try bonus point in the last minute, outscoring their hosts by four tries to one. With Chris Murphy unavailable due to illness, Lion’s drafted in the diminutive Tom Harris on the left wing. Lions began brightly, and a deft chip from Turner intended for Dominic Wareing, led to the home side being penalised for offside at the ensuing ruck. James Hawken made no mistake to give Lion’s an early lead. Morley responded well and were keen to run the ball at every opportunity with both flankers frequently appearing in the back line. A chip and chase by Toby Handley appeared to lead to a try, but this was ruled out for a foot in touch. The home side then began to get the upper hand up front, and a series of rolling mauls got them into Lion’s 22. Rugby’s defence was being stretched and Morley’s cause was not helped by a series of handling errors. From a Lion’s scrum 10 metres from their try line, the ball squirted out of the side and into Scott Benson’s hands. He quickly fed his centre who strolled over for an easy converted try to put the home side in front. Shaun Brady picked up from the base of another scrum on Lion’s 22 and set of on a strong run. Support came from flankers Nash and Prosser-Shaw who then slipped the ball to Toby Handley. Toby drew the defender and sent Tom Harris in for an excellent score. Hawks converted to regain the lead for Rugby at 7-10. Morley were playing mainly in Lion’s half, but more poor handling, and some huge clearance kicks from Matt Goode kept them at bay.

Lion’s kicked off at the start of the second half and immediately won the ball. Following good ball retention, they took a leaf out of Morley’s book, and up popped Alex Nash at centre. He took the ball at pace to shoot through a gap in the defensive line, and then impressively side stepped the home fullback for Rugby’s second try. Hawks converted from in front of the posts to make the score 7-17. Concerted pressure from Morley had Lion’s midfield defence stretched to the limit and the home number six handed off two weak tackles before feeding his winger who looked certain to score in the corner. Toby Handley had other ideas, however and a last ditch tackle just forced him into touch. The throw was long to Tristan Prosser-Shaw, but his attempted clearance kick was charged down, to put more pressure on the visitor’s hard-pressed defence. Although they prevented Morley from crossing the line, they conceded a penalty for offside and the lead was reduced to 10-17. Rugby responded well and a well worked backs ploy, and strong run from the impressive Tom Harris, was held just short of the try line. From the ruck, the ball was fed to Stuart Riding who crashed over from 5 metres. Hawks again converted to ease the rising tension in Rugby’s small band of supporters.

More pressure from Morley was just about held out before another penalty was conceded to reduce the deficit slightly to 13-24. The home side were forced to run everything now, but it was Lion’s who had the last say in the game when Toby Handley touched down after the Lion’s pack shoved Morley off their own ball, to secure the bonus point. Hawks converted with the last kick of the match.

In contrast to previous games this season, Rugby made the most of their chances and it was Morley who failed to convert pressure into points. This was a huge win for Rugby and will surely give them the confidence needed to get their season back on track and climb the league table.

The Lions seem to be somewhat careless this season with lapses of concentration and a rather cavalier attitude to penalties. It is high time that they got serious; a little more of the Pumas’ approach would do nicely. For those of you who like gamble what about a double on Lions beating Morley and England beating Australia?