Rugby Lions U15s took part in an invitational tournament involving some of the top teams from across the Midlands, plus Otley from Yorkshire.

This was a tough tournament to play in on a surface that was baked hard (rather like the conditions the British Lions will face on their forthcoming tour.

The Rugby Lions started strongly with a 10 pts to 5 victory over Matlock with tries from Dylan Roberts and Jake Wagstaff.  This was followed by a resounding 25pts to nil victory over the Baa Baas in which Jack Tierney scored his first Lions try.  This took the Lions into the semi final of the cup competition where they met favourites Wolverhampton.  The Lions pack were the dominant force but Wolverhampton had the ascendancy in the backs and were able to run in four tries to send the Lions into a playoff against Market Bosworth.  The Lions pack again dominated proceedings but two breakaway tries sent Bosworth clear.  However, the Lions fought back with tries from Wagstaff and Greg Matthews to earn a deserved draw.  A penalty shootout decided the game and Greg Clarke slotted two great kicks to win the match for the Lions. A good end to the season for the Lions.

Rugby Lions Under 14’s in Mid Wales

Lions packed up their recent outstanding form and took it with them to Wales for their end of season tour and in perfect playing conditions  treated their hosts to a truly exhilarating display of running Rugby – over two competitive matches Lions scored 14 tries without reply and completed the season with a record of winning 16 of 21 games played whilst scoring 658 points for and conceding only 212 points.

Rugby Lions Under 14’s - 51 points          v              COBRA Under 14’s - 0 points

Lions had simply too much pace and guile for a plucky COBRA outfit and monopolized possession apart from a 5 minute spell in the second half when COBRA hammered away at the visitor’s line and would have scored except for some resolute defense by battle hardened Rugby.  Lions were on top form however and ran in 9 unanswered tries, 4 of which were extremely classy but in truth, Rugby were irresistible and they simply got stronger and stronger as the game wore on.

Rugby Lions Under 14’s - 48 points          v              Newtown Under 14’s - 0 points

Lions arrived in Newtown in determined mood as reports of their resounding victory echoed across the Valleys but if anything, Lions were even better second time out.  On this day Lions were truly immense in every department as forwards and backs played in perfect unison retaining possession for phase after phase and once again totally dominating the opposition to score 5 unanswered tries in less than 30 minutes.  At Newtown’s request, Rugby and Newtown then mixed up their squads to play an exhibition match to entertain the appreciative crowd and a very competitive match ensued - the final score was close but lost in the post match celebrations as the two squads disappeared to the clubhouse.  At the end of the 08/09 season Lions are playing a brand of irresistible rugby that few can match – already we can’t wait for the next season to start.  Tour squad: Fraser O’Brien, Alex Kukielko, Ben Bramley, Ben Warman, James Saunders, Sam Wyan, Dan Martin, Will Tuite-Dalton, Kyle Webster, Rory Holmes, Ben Hyslop, Tom Reeve, Tom Swindell, Rich Bannister, Harry Parsons, Zac Baldwin (capt), Robert Chan, James Scott, Jonny Ure, Stitch Loydall, Jackson Hughes.

Rugby Lions U10s Tour.

The Rugby Lions U10s went up to Whitley Bay for what turned out to be a amazing weekend.

On the Sunday they went across to be hosted by Percy Park to play in a mini festival. The teams involved were Percy Park, Morpeth, NOVA & Rugby Lions and the Lions players did not disappoint all the travelling support!

The Lions took up a 17 man squad: Williamson, Lorimer, Garth, Wallace, Atkinson, Deery, Carwardine, Warwick, Aske-Haley, Lee, Bailie, Jupp, Tildesley, Clayton, Scott & Pocknell.

The first game the Lions came up against Percy Park and beat them 2-1, Second game was against Morpeth and they beat them 3-1, with the Lions now in full swing they came up against NOVA for there third game and came out 8-0 winners.

The Lions had seen off all the teams they had put in front of them so the coaches had decided to put together a Baa – Baas team to play against the Lions to see if they could try and break there winning run but the Lions did what they had been doing all morning and won the game 3-1. With 4 games played and scoring 16 tries and only conceding 3 everyone travelled home very happy.

The Lions U10s Players, Coaches & Parents would like to say a big Thank You to Andy Allman from Cut Price Carpets on Railway Terrace for sponsoring their Tour polo shirts.