Earlsdon U7’s – 3 tries v’s Rugby Lions U7’s – 5 tries

The first half saw the Lions play with passion, heart and skill. And from the off applied pressure on Earlsdon this was rewarded with the 1^st try of the match. From the restart the Lions were put under severe pressure but defended with some excellent tagging. From this the Lions forced Earlsdon into a fumble and some quick handling and support play saw the Lions score the 2^nd try of the game.

The 2^nd half saw Earlsdon come out with several changes and these fresh legs caused the Lions some problems. The 2^nd half was back and forth with each team scoring 3 tries each, final score 5 – 3 win to the Lions. Well done lads this was by far the best performance of the season so far, with so much more to come the future for them looks very bright.

First Match: Earlsdon U9’s – 0 tries v’s Rugby Lions U9’s – 8 tries

Earlsdon won the toss and started the match probing the Lions defence though Caitlin Revan Tackling and rucking prevented them advancing too near the Lions try line. Soon Rugby turned over the ball with some great forward work from Findlay Williamson and Robert Jupp giving the backs a chance to run at the Earldon defence. Some quick passing from Harry cash and Matty Tidesley opened up some space for Jordi Pocknell to make some ground, a great pass out to Jack cave on the left wing saw the first try registered to the Lions.
Earlsdon look flustered though made some headway into the Lions half but Lions Ran Scott picked up a loose ball and switched it to Jamie Carwardine who laid on a perfect pass out of contact to Jordi Pocknell who registered the second try of the match.
Jack cave scored his second try with a strong run and change of speed that fooled the defence and Rugby Lions were three tries up at half time. The second half started with an individual run from Jordi Pocknell scoring his 2nd of the match. Robert Jupp controlled the breakdown ball area with some impressive rucking and Harry Cash as scrum half distributed the ball and linked the backs play very well.
A typical strong run by Findlay Williamson saw him get on the score board with a sublime grab and steal from Matty Tildesley 10 metres from the line saw another try to the Lions. Matty scored another carving try through the defence with Ran Scott scoring a well deserved try from the half way line, he side stepped two defenders on the left wing then spin turned another two opening space inside then checked his run onto the left and scored just before the final whistle.
 
Second Match: Earlsdon U9’s – 3 tries v’s Rugby lions – 3 tries

In the spirit of the game both sides coaches agreed to even it up a little with two powerful Lions players to play for Earlsdon one in each half, this proved to be more of a test to a Lions team who had been reorganised.

Jordi Pocknell now playing for Earlsdon relished the opportunity to play against his Lions team mates resulting in a good run and a pass off to the Earlsdon winger who scored. Two more tries followed for Earlsdon though great tackling from Zak Wright, Keiron Lorimer and Reece ensured the Lions were still in with a fight to get back in the game.
Half time saw the score 3-0 to Earlsdon and was to prove a test to the Lions character. The team agreed no more tries were to be conceded and to get the ball wide. Jamie Carwardine replaced Jordi Pocknell as the token Lion player for Earlsdon and we knew it would be tough as Jamie relishes a crunching tackle.
Dominic Deery as scrum half passed out wide to Reece who got Keiron Lorimer onto the ball within 10 metres of the try line. with pure grit, determination and a low driving run Keiron bulldozed himself through the defence and with the help of hooker Findlay Williamson created a perfect driving maul our senior side would be proud of scoring the first try for us in the game.
There was no holding back The Lions now with Caitlin Revan making good ground and ball presentation enabling Ran Scott to score our 2nd. Time was running out and it looked we were going to lose the match though Dominic Deery switch pass to Harry cash who off loaded to Zak wright and onto Matty Tildesley who scored in the corner with seconds to spare.

First Match: Earlsdon U11’s – 7 points v’s Rugby Lions U11’s – 21 points

Having a bare 12 players for this fixture some of the young Lions had to play in unfamiliar positions. This proved to be a problem easily overcome. The Lions forwards started the first half with some aggressive play which was rewarded when scrum half Aaron Martin picked up from the back of a ruck on the halfway line and danced his way through the Earlsdon team to score a superb solo try which he then converted. Earlsdon responded well and turned the pressure up on the Lions pack. Only a handful of brilliant last ditch tackles by Jordan Murray prevented Earsldon from scoring until they managed to force the ball over the line for a contentious try just before the interval. In the second half Lions took control and were unlucky to score only two more tries, with Aaron Martin going over on both occasions to complete a hat trick. Tries were converted by Aaron & Jack Swift.

Second Match: Earlsdon U11’s - 0 points v’s Rugby Lions U11’s – 21 points

A confident Lions team took to the pitch for a second game and were by far the better team in a somewhat scrappy first half of Rugby. Lewis Arbuthnott went on a bulldozing run to go over for his first try for the Lions, this was converted by Aaron Martin. Lions scored again before the break with a typically dogged run by Jason Moyse who took a blow to the face as he went down to score. The try was converted by Ollie Beight, his first points for Lions. The second half again was scrappy due to the now biting cold temperature, once a gain some great tackling by Jordan Murray prevented a fairly demoralised Earlsdon team from scoring. Lions finished the day with yet another try for Aaron Martin who also converted.

A fantastic end to the year for the U11’s who are now starting to reap the rewards of some hard work following the knocks earlier in the season. Well done lads & lasses.

Squad: Jordan Macdonald, Aaron Martin , Jason Moyse, Jack Swift, Lewis Arbuthnott, Ollie Beight, Kezia Bull, Joe Cullum, Concobhar Jolliffe-Grimes, Racheal Scott, Jack Worrall-Soper and man of the match Jordan Murray.

U14s

Syston U14’s -10 points v’s Rugby Lions U14’s – 17 points

The Lions opted to play up the slope in the 1st half and settled quickly in to their game. The Syston pack were well organised and caused Rugby one or two problems. Syston nearly scored out wide but the final pass went adrift which was picked up by George Williams who sprinted up the touch line but he was hauled down on the Syston 10m line , from the ruck the Lions recycled the ball quickly to No8 Jake Wagstaff who passed to George again to score a well worked try. The Lions backs began to cause Syston all sorts of problems with their strong determined running. This led to another try from George Williams when Centre Tom Findley used his superior pace drifted pasted the Syston fullback passing to George Williams to score his 2nd try. The tackling was sound in defence which led to another try this time by flanker "G" Matthews when Olly Machon secured the ball on the ground and a quick pop pass to "G" to score. The try was converted by Greg Clarke. The Syston coach must have lit a fire under the Syston team as they came out all guns blazing and soon scored a try. They added another after some sloppy rucking which allowed the Syston forward to come straight through the ruck and score. The last ten minutes saw the Lions do a lot of defending but Syston could not break down a stout Rugby defence. Special mention to Scott Randle and Jay Wyatt who both had good games in defence.

Rugby Lions U16s – 12 points v’s Earlsdon U16s – 12 points

A tight match on a cold day was marred by the injury to flanker Tom Barton who broke his collar bone in a tackle after ten minutes.  Ainsley Wileman replaced Barton and the Lions went on the offensive.  As the Lions pressed, Earlsdon kicked clear out of defence only for full back Tom Holroyd to field the clearance and scoot around the cover defence to score.  Sam Rule converted the try. Immediately, Earlsdon hit straight back as the Lions failed to deal with the kick off and scored to go level on points.  The Lions forwards were scrappy in the loose and failed to control the ball at the breakdown.  Penlington gained most of the yards with forceful running but Earlsdon spoiled at every opportunity and they eventually scored from loose play.  The Lions backs had the better of their opponents.  Maxwell, Rowland, Martin and Millar had superb games in both attack and defence and from Pollard’s trusty fly-half boot, Holroyd chased a well placed chip over the defence to level the scores.  Final Score  Earlsdon 12 – 12 Lions