Rugby Lions entertained league leaders and unbeaten Ealing at Webb Ellis Road in a thrilling encounter and shared the spoils with well-earned and deserved draw.

The visitors kicked off with the benefit of a strong wind in their favour. A series of pick and drives by the Lions after Tom Cheney had pinched Ealing’s first lineout, came to nothing when Jamie Tyers was penalised for not staying on his feet. Ealing registered the first points of the afternoon with a penalty by Ben Ward after Lion’s were adjudged offside in front of their posts.

After twelve minutes, some poor tackling allowed Ealing’s winger David Howells to run through and feed the ball inside to Hodgkinson for an unopposed stroll to the line. The conversion attempt by Ward hit the post to leave the visitors leading by eight points.

Ealing’s huge pack were looking powerful in the set scrums, but Lion’s were much the stronger in the maul situations, and in sharp contrast to previous matched their ball retention was exemplary.

A great break by Shaun Brady was supported by Toby Handley, and more impressive mauling got the Lions to within inches of the try line, only to be denied again by failure to stay on their feet.

Following a minor scuffle near the touchline, and intervention by the assistant referee, Matt Price was singled out as the culprit and the penalty went to Ealing. Conveniently for them the kick was awarded at least 15 metres infield, which made for a much easier shot at goal. Ward was successful to extend the visitor’s lead to eleven points with seven minutes left on the clock.

Rugby’s patience and ball retention was demonstrated to great effect when no less than twenty-two phases of pick and drives, mostly within ten metres of Ealing’s try line, led to a try by Stuart Riding in front of the clubhouse. The strong wind meant that the conversion attempt was almost impossible. To go into the half time break trailing by only six points against the elements was a great achievement by Rugby and Ealing must have fearing the worst for the second half.

Rugby dominated the second half with Harry Owens and Matt Goode using the wind to pin the visitors deep in their own half. Hawken soon reduced the deficit with a penalty when Ealing were penalised for not driving straight at a scrum. A slick back’s move gave Tom Harris a little room down the left, but he was bundled into touch by three defenders. Not for the first time, Tom Cheney stole Ealing’s line out ball, and another series of pick and drives led to replacement prop Phil Greenbury claiming the try. Hawken converted to put Lion’s in front for the first time at 15-11, and there looked to be only one winner at this stage.

Ealing were surprisingly back in front, however after their scrum was turned in the shadow of their own posts. Rugby were adjudged to have turned the scrum deliberately and a quick tap lead to centre Edwards running the length of the pitch to score under the posts. Ward again converted to make the score 15-18. Lion’s were soon level when a clearance kick by Ealing was played by members of his team at least twenty metres in front of the ball. Hawken made no mistake from the ten-metre line in front of the dugouts.

Rugby had the chance to regain the lead with a penalty by Hawken from halfway and ten metres infield. Although arrow straight, the kick did not quite have the legs, and dropped agonisingly under the bar.

This was Lion’s best performance of the season by far, and proves what we all know, that we have the players to compete with the best at this level. Next week the team travel to bottom club Havant, and a repeat performance would surely reap rewards.