Rugby ended their losing run of five consecutive defeats and restored some pride by beating their Yorkshire visitors with a stunning second half performance at Webb Ellis road. The victory looked highly unlikely when the home side were down 7-26, ten minutes into the second period, after producing a series of basic errors and allowing the visitors to score on each of their four visits to the home 22. Then it all seemed to click into place, and Lion’s produced their best display of team rugby for many weeks.

Lion’s started well, and a chip to the corner by Peter Glackin, intended for Ade Hales, was kicked dead in the goal area by a defender. After ten minutes play, Lion’s lost the ball on halfway, and the visitors moved the ball left. Poor tackling allowed Moore to touch down in the corner. Rhodes converted from the touchline to increase the lead. Lion’s continued to dominate territory, but poor execution of the basic skills meant that the chances created were spurned. A chip ahead by the visitors was taken just inside the goal area by Ade Hales who touched the ball down. The officials ruled that he carried the ball over the line, and a five-metre scrum was awarded. The visitors duly won the ball and drove over for their second try on twenty-four minutes. The conversion was missed to leave the visitors with a twelve-point lead. Lion’s were back in it five minutes later following a series of drive and mauls with Tristan Wati claiming the try. He then had to leave the field with a leg injury to be replaced by Richard Siveter. Following a line-out just inside their own half, the bees were driven back by a series of strong tackles and a kick ahead looked very promising for Rugby, but not for the first time this season a scuffle amongst the forwards stopped play, and Lion’s were awarded a penalty thirty metres back from the position when play was stopped.

Matt Goode was forced to leave the field with a blood injury following the fracas.

Right on half time, Bees centre ran through some weak tackling to score under the posts for a converted try and extend the visitor’s lead.

At the start of the second half, Rugby’s Lloyd Warner replaced Steve Clarke in the centre. The first score was going to be important, and it was the visitors who claimed it with another converted try to extend the lead to nineteen points. At this point Lions stepped up a gear and more importantly cut out most of the unforced errors. Stuart Riding was then forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury and was replaced with newcomer Justin Parker. Parker is no second row, so Lion’s were forced to reshuffle their pack with Toby Handley going to flanker, and Parker to scrumhalf. Parker looked lively right from the off, and quick ball out to the left saw Michael Rust crash over in the corner. Hawken’s conversion attempt was pushed wide from the touchline.

The visitors increased their lead with a penalty kick, but the momentum was now firmly with the home team. Rust almost repeated his try in the left corner but was just barged into touch five metres short. The bees knocked on at the throw-in, and Lion’s quickly moved the ball down the back line for a lovely try by Ade Hales in front of the clubhouse. Hawken’s conversion hit the post, but Rugby’s tails were up.

Hawken fielded a kick on his own 22, and ran through half the bee’s side to reach half-way, before a series of drives ended with a break down the left by Rust. On his shoulder was Parker, who took the pass and scooted over for a debut try by the uprights. Hawken converted to reduce the deficit to 24-29.