Rugby Lions ended their losing sequence with a victory over close neighbours Leicester Lions in the National Trophy North round 1. The victory looked a little unlikely at half time with Rugby 12-0 behind. Rugby had their fair share of chances in the first half, but a combination of a lack of composure and patience contributed to their failure to trouble the scorers.

Leicester did the basics well, and particularly their ball retention was much better than the home side’s. A sweeping back’s move by Rugby gave Michael Rust the chance to streak down the left wing, but he was forced into touch two metres short.

After fourteen minutes, Leicester opened the scoring from halfway with a break down the right flank. Hooker John Williamson finished off the move started in his own half by Jon Boden. Boden unusually fluffed the conversion attempt.

From one of many loose passes from the home side, the visitors claimed possession and Alan Mitchell streaked down the left touchline before switching inside to other winger Gary Marshall, who went over unopposed. This time Boden made no mistake with the conversion.

Rugby needed an early score to get them back into the match and this they achieved when a long pass from Phil Reed gave Rust the space to touch down in the left corner. The conversion was missed but at least the momentum was now with the home side.

With Rugby applying the pressure, Leicester were penalised for not rolling away, and James Hawken reduced the deficit to 8-12 with a penalty after eight minutes of the second half.

The basic errors were now starting to come from Leicester, and Rugby were denied a lovely looking try from Rust after the referee adjudged the pass from Reed to Hawken to be forward.

The tide had clearly turned now, and Leicester had their backs to the wall in trying to stem Rugby’s pressure. Hawken slotted another penalty after the visitors were caught offside at a ruck.

Stuart Riding looked to have found a gap in the defence, but was held just short of the line. Rugby’s pack regrouped, and the drive proved unstoppable with Karl Braband being credited with the score. Although the conversion was missed, Rugby were in front for the first time at 16-12.

Rugby replaced Phil Reed with Harry Owens who went to the fly-half position with Green moving to centre. Leicester somehow managed to defend their line after a series of drives by the home pack, but when the ball came out to Owens, he spotted James Hawken in space on the left wing and chipped deftly into his path, so that he only had to take the ball and ground it in one movement.

Hawken converted his own try for a comfortable lead of 23-12. Rugby completed a stirring second half comeback in the final minute with man of the match Tom Cheney running through some tired tackling to score by the posts. Hawken again converted to complete the scoring.

Next week Lions entertain top of the table Ealing, and although this was a much improved performance, if they hope to get a result against them, they will need to step up a gear and maintain it for eighty minutes. Then again, who were the only team to inflict a defeat on Tynedale last season??