Rugby Lion’s dismal start to the
season continued with another well below par performance at Webb Ellis
Road against local rivals Leicester Lions. 26 of the visitor’s points
were scored by ex Lion’s Jon Boden, who scored 16 with the boot and
Gareth Collins, who was gifted two interception tries near the end of
the match when Rugby were trying to force the game.
Rugby’s much depleted pack more
than held their own, but basic errors and wrong options at crucial times
conspired to waste most of the possession they won. For the second week
running, Rugby were guilty of indiscipline and conceding too many
kickable penalties. What was improved was the tackling and Leicester
rarely threatened the home try line although regular penalties for the
visitors kept them just ahead throughout the match. Three kicks from
Boden and one by James Hawken gave Leicester the lead 3-9 after the
first quarter of the game.
The only try of the first half
came after 35 minutes when Turner found Chris Murphy on the right wing
and he had enough strength and speed to crash over. Hawken missed the
conversion into the wind to leave Rugby trailing 8-9. Shortly after,
Hawken had a chance to put the home side into the lead with a penalty in
front of the posts from about 30 metres but the kick was pushed just
wide of the uprights
Half time: - Rugby Lions 8
Leicester Lions 9
Early in the second half some
promising approach play by Rugby was wasted when the ball was knocked on
with the try line beckoning – not for the first time. In a rare
excursion into the home 22, Leicester’s centre Twelvetrees took the
opportunity to convert a drop goal to extend the visitor’s lead. After
powerful runs from Sam Viggers and Stuart Riding, Tommy Turner attempted
to return the complement, but pulled his kick to the left of the posts.
Matt Price and Phil Greenbury
were then replaced by Jamie Tyers and Sam Overton who bizarrely received
a finger-wagging from the referee as they were preparing to engage for
their first scrum, and were promptly penalised for incorrect binding.
Michael Rust came on for Tommy
Turner with Hawken moving to the fly-half position, and Alex Gray
replaced Viggers who had sustained a dead leg. Rugby were then penalised
for a high tackle on Collins even though he had ducked his head to waist
height. A quick tap was taken and Lions were again penalised for not
retreating 10 metres. This time Boden successfully took the shot at goal
to make the score 8-15. A good break from Hales, supported by Rust
allowed Murphy to make good ground on the right flank deep into the
visitors 22. As soon as he hit the floor the ball was released quickly
and Handley looked dangerous, as most of the ball he had been receiving
was slow. Somehow the inconsistent referee deemed that Murphy had not
released the ball quick enough. This did not impress James Hawken who
protested and the penalty was moved forward another 10 metres. Danny
Facer, who played well throughout, took Leicester’s lineout and set up a
ruck just outside the visitors 22. Hawken spun out a long pass, which
Collins intercepted in typical fashion, and nobody was going to catch
him. Boden converted from under the posts to make the score 8-22. Lions
came straight back and Facer sent Riding galloping down the left flank.
The ball came out to Hawken who spotted a huge gap in the visitor’s
defence on the other side of the pitch. He chipped the ball across and
the chasing Wareing appeared to touch the ball down a foot inside the
dead ball line, although his body must have been close to the line. The
try was not awarded and the referee came back and gave Rugby a penalty
where the ruck was formed. A try was essential, so Lions went for the
lineout. This was duly won and a number of pick and drives led to a
typical Handley try from close range, just left of the posts. With
stoppage time approaching, Hawken must have decided time was not on
Lion’s side and opted for a drop goal conversion, which he missed. A
little crazy when you realise that the conversion could have at least
gained a bonus point. As it transpired this was irrelevant as with Lions
trying to run everything, another simple interception from Collins gave
Leicester a rather flattering margin of victory. This was not a game
that will live long in the memory and the quality of play was poor.
