Rugby Lions U9s Titanic Tussle in Triangular Tournament

A much improved and warm Rugby Lions posted a creditable win, draw and loss in this Triangular Tournament with Old Northamptonians and Wellingborough.

1st game v Wellingborough : Won 3-0

Lions were quick off the mark to pressurise Wellingborough in this thrilling match. Jordi Pocknell’s early barnstorming run gained good ground to set up the always resolute Caitlin Revan for the first try. Ferocious tackling from the Lions and in particular Zak Wright made sure that Wellingborough could not respond. Caitlin Revan’s excellent pick up in loose play allowed quick hands between Dominic Deery, Ran Scott and Harry Cash to put Jordi Pocknell in for a try. Not to be outdone Findlay Williamson and Jacob Hardy-King linked up with Oran Aske-Haley in a neat passage of play which led to Oran Aske-Haley bursting over for the final try.


2nd game v Old Northamptonians A : lost 0-1

In a tight game Lions produced their best rucking of the season so far to keep Old Northamptonians under pressure, but could not cross the line for a try. The Front Row of Oliver Lee, Robert Jupp and Ben Clayton made several gutsy runs but were stopped by a physical defence. Dominic Deery and Findlay Williamson continued with their ferocious tackling to halt any Old Northamptonians attack.
Lions found that the usual crashball tactics of Jordi Pocknell and Caitlin Revan could not breach the opposition line. The hosts then sneaked over for a try to steal the win.

3rd game v Old Northamptonians B

Although the well matched sides pushed and shoved they could not find the decisive pass to score a try. On one attack Oran Aske-Haley ran nearly the whole length of the pitch, but ran out of support as he was tackled metres short of the line. The highlight of the game for Front Row Fathers was when Robert Jupp took one against the Head in an uncontested scrum. Ran Scott and Findlay Williamson carried on with their ferocious tackling, with Zak Wright harassing the opposition scrum half into mistakes. Harry Cash and Jacob Hardy-King tried to outwit the defence with some mazy running but couldn't find the final pass to allow Lions to score. Oliver Haslam stuck to his task on the wing but could not get enough ball to show his skills. Callum and Ben Clayton gave able support, but in the end the game finished honours even.

Rugby Lions U10s v Old Northamptonians

Once again the brave Lions U10s squared up against a large squad (approx 25!!) and as we have come to expect our lads did credit to both themselves and the Club. Our Team consisted of Liam "interception" Deery, Lewis "I rather sit in the wet" Bloxam, Ross" where are the hot dogs" Smillie, James" wicked winger" Stewart, Ed " safe hands" Hands, Will" the quiet assassin" Davis, Mathew "new boy" McLelland, Liam" the happy hooker" Wardle and 3 willing volunteers from old Northamptonians who enhanced the side especially in the forwards. The score line in the first game once again did not reflect the enthusiasm and commitment that our boys continually put in. Of note was the growing confidence in the ruck and maul and the realisation that we are able to make ground with a tight drive. Lewis showed pace, flare and strength in the centre. Will as usual, as the only member in the pack with a lion over his heart, led by example and helped set up the improved loose play. Interception Deery was thwarted this week but look out for another stunning move in the near future. Ross also showed us how to drive in the loose and classmate Mathew came off the wing to try his hand in the rucks. 

Game 2 was very close with the 1 - 0 defeat again showing superb Lions commitment. Liam W shone as Hooker and Scrum half with James earning his mane with some fierce tackles. Steady Ed Hands played superbly as ever from the thick of the action.  

 Rugby Lions U11’s vs. Old Northamptonians & Wellingborough

Old Northamptonians 14 Rugby Lions 5

Playing an ON’s side that had recently hammered them at the Lions festival, the young Lions showed once again how much progress has been made, by putting in a fantastic defensive 1^st half performance which was only spoilt by 2 break away, converted, tries after being over committed in the ruck. The second half carried on much the same way but with Lions being on the front foot for most of the half. With only a couple of minutes left Lions finally got the breakthrough they more than deserved with Toby Gregory going over after an excellent drive by the Lions pack.

Rugby Lions 0 Wellingborough 42

Lions squad: Jordan MacDonald, Kaedan O’Neill, Aaron Martin, Jason Moyse, Jack Swift, Lewis Arbuthnott, Kezia Bull, Hugh Deery, Lucas Gregory, Toby Gregory, Concobhar Jolliffe-Grimes, Racheal Scott, Jack Worrall-Soper and Joe Cullum.

Rugby Lions U13s - 27 points    v     Sutton Coldfield U13s - 14 points

 Sutton Coldfield struck first with a long range converted try to shake Rugby up after a slow start but this was just the wake up call Rugby needed.  Slowly Lions forwards imposed themselves in open play and Rugby finished the half narrowly in front after a great ‘show and go’ try from James Scott and a very determined effort from Tom Swindell which Kiron Phillips converted.  In the second half Rugby played in the opposition half for long periods allowing James Scott to score his second try and Will Tuite-Dalton to score a brace but unfortunately Sutton Coldfield were rewarded with a final try under the posts when they pressurized Rugby into a mistake on their own line.  Rugby’s threequarters were unusually quiet but their forwards are improving with every match and overall they still showed enough to see off a good Sutton Coldfield team.  Kyle Webster was voted ‘Man of the Match’ for his ferocious tackling and strong running.

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Rugby Lions U14s – 22 points v Sutton Coldfield U14s - 26 points

Sutton Coldfield started the better of the 2 teams as the lions failed to get into the game. All the play seemed to be in the lions third of the field. With the SC scrum putting great pressure on the Rugby pack. It was from a SC put in that Hooker Oliver Machon stole one against the head allowing No 8 "G" Matthews to break blind and set up an attack deep in SC territory. From the resulting breakdown the Lions backs moved the ball wide for Winger George Williams to score in the corner. Greg Clarke failed with the conversion. SC came straight back at the lions and after some indecision in the Lions defence the clearance kick was charged down allowing SC to pick up the loose ball and level the score.
Rugby re-took the lead just after H/T when "G" Matthews picked up from the ruck and managed to get the ball to ground again out wide. With neither side able to dominate the other it was the Lions who used a chip and chase move which found the bounce of the ball fall kindly for Centre Tom Findley to score under the posts. Greg Clarke added the conversion. Having built up a useful lead for some reason the lions pressed the self destruct button allowing SC 3 easy tries after some poor defence and clearance kicks from Rugby. With time running out the lions showed some character with No 8 Jake Wagstaff crashing through some poor SC attempts at the tackle. The Lions learnt a harsh lesson that the game isn't over until the man in the middle says so.