Rugby Lions U10s Triangular Tournament versus Stratford and Old Coventrians

Game 1: Versus Stratford Draw 2 - 2

After a slow start when Lions conceded an early try the Lions showed their skill and pace as Findlay Williamson made a good run to link with Matty Tildesley who scored in the corner. Oran Aske-Haley led the way in the forwards with his excellent rucking. Lions pressure in open play and in the scrummage paid off when Mikey Atkinson was released to sprint away for the second try.

In the second half Aske-Haley again led the way. Jamie Carwardine made a try saving tackle to prevent Stratford winger touching down. Ran Scott, Bevan and Jack Cave took every opportunity to probe the visitors defence. Against the run of play Stratford scored an equalizing try. Lions defended well until the final whistle.

Game 2: Versus Old Coventrians Draw 2 – 2

Lions continued in the same vein with good forward play from Oliver Lee, Ben Clayton and Trafford Warwick. Zac Wright showed good tackling at full back. Old Coventrians sneaked over for the opening try. This galvanized Lions who pushed forward with Wright and Jack Wallace making mazy runs and linking up with Jordi Pocknell who powered ahead. Lions upped their game either side of half time with excellent scrummaging from Clayton, Lee and Warwick. Lee made a crucial tackle to stop an Old Coventrian’s attack. This allowed Lions to recycle the ball for Pocknell to power over for his try. Kieran Lorimer’s quick thinking allowed Wallace to make a quick pass with Jobie Latham to then release Pocknell for his second try. Lions pressed ahead with Latham and Wallace making surging runs. Time ran out leaving honours even.

Game 3: Versus Stratford Lost 0 – 6

In a game best forgotten by the Lions they were outclassed in every department to suffer a heavy defeat.

Game 4: Versus Old Coventrians Won 4 – 1

A chastened Rugby Lions started this game in a more positive fashion. Ran Scott and Tildesley led the way with their excellent inter-passing. Carwardine and Atkinson also excelled as they picked up loose ball and sprinted ahead. This pressure eventually led to Atkinson being released to score the opening try.

Old Coventrians responded immediately with a try in the corner. Not to be outdone virtually from the kick off Scott picked up the ball and ghosted in for a try. In the second half Bevan made good runs and was rewarded with his maiden try. Tildesley and Scott linked with some impressive passing to run the length of the pitch before Tildesley crashed over for the winning try.

Rugby Lions U12s 5 Old Coventrians 40

A freezing cold winters morning for the first fixture of 2009. Lions came up against a huge OC’s team who used their substantial height and weight advantage to good effect throughout this bruising encounter. OC’s with their advantage scored 4 tries in a first half which saw Lions struggling to get to grips with the sheer size of some of their opponents. After a rallying team talk at half time the Lions came out in the second half and squared up to OC’s. Some magnificent defensive play from the whole Lions team and some desperate rucking and last ditch tackling giving OC’s a bit of a shock. In recent years the Lions would have rolled over but not today. The best try of the game came when Kaeden O’Neill played a beautiful long pass out to Swifty who ran from the half way line towards the corner and then stepped back inside to score. A couple of unpleasant incidents followed which resulted in both teams having a player sent off. But Lions had shown a lot of courage in this half and only conceded another 4 tries throughout.

Squad: Lewis Arbuthnott, Jack Worrall-Soper, Aaron Martin, Joe Cullum, Ollie Smith, Jack Swift, Jordan MacDonald, Dan Howells, Mitchell Hughes, Hugh Deery, Connor Grimes, Kaeden O’Neill & new player Kieran Handcock. No man of the match award for this game as the whole team were magnificent.