Versus Stratford lost 0 – 1: Lions kept Stratford pegged into their own half by excellent tackling from Findlay Williamson and Mikey Aitkinson for most of the first half. The rejuvenated and powerful scrummaging of Oran Aske-Haley, Jamie Carwardine and Ran Scott provided good ball for Jordi Pocknell and Matty Tildesley to make several storming runs. Eventually Stratford breached Lions line to win a well contested game.

Versus Bromsgrove won 4 – 2: A fired up Lions took the game to Bromsgrove from the first whistle with the front row of Robert Jupp, Oliver Lee and Ran Scott taking total control of the scrummage and winning virtually every ball. A flowing move between Zac Wright, Findlay Williamson and Ran Scott led to Findlay powering over. Mikey Aitkinson, Kieran Lorimer and Ran Scott all followed with tries to make Lions impressive winners.

Versus Birmingham and Solihull won 4 – 0: Lions continued to improve as they powered to a comfortable win. With Robert Jupp playing his best ever Rugby he dominated the scrummage and made several powerful runs. There was excellent tackling from Matty Tildesley, Jordi Pocknell and Kieran Lorimer. Lions sprinted to an impressive win with scores from Jordi Pocknell, Findlay Williamson and Kieran Lorimer.

Versus Lichfield won 2 – 1: In a tense encounter Lions relied on their good scrummaging and hard tackling to stifle the opposition. Matty Tildesley made several searching runs and was rewarded with a try. Jordi Pocknell spun his way over the line for a try.

Versus Silhillians won 1 – 0: With a chance of glory Lions kept their nerve to beat their hosts. The mercurial Mikey Aitkinson capped a fine afternoon of relentless tackling and running with the winning try. Oran Aske-Haley, Jamie Carwardine and Robert Jupp scrummaged and rucked ferociously. The half backs of Kieran Lorimer and Findlay Williamson made sniping runs as Jordi Pocknell and Matty Tildesley made good yardage every time they received the ball.

The whole squad can be proud of themselves for their commitment and hard work throughout the day.

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Rugby Lions Under 11’s – Sill’s Festival report 12^th October 08

For the second week running the Lions inexperienced team came up against powerful opposition and had to work flat out for any advantage during the five games. The performance was patchy with some excellent passages of play followed up by periods where tackling appeared to be outlawed. Back to the training pitch for next week boys. Guess what we’ll be working on!

Praise should again go to the new players Tom Smith, Jake Bramley and Harry Turnock-Rogers who all worked their socks off and are really starting to make an impact on the performance of the team. Tom Doherty also had a tremendous day leading by example playing at both fly and scrum half during the day.

Last but not least first try of the season scored by Rory Wagstaff the try was greeted with a celebration that showed what great team spirit we have, lots more to follow.

Rugby Lions U14’s - 34 points     v     Leicester Lions U14’s - 5 points 

Rugby started strongly and roared into an early lead with a fine try from James Scott and did not look back throughout the first half of a very competitive match.  Tries came at regular intervals through Will Tuite-Dalton, Zac Baldwin, Daniel Martin, Jackson Hughes and Harry Parsons kicked one conversion. 

The second half was more even with Will Tuite Dalton scoring his second try (converted by Harry Parsons) and Leicester finally getting off the mark with a fine try of their own.  Will Tuite-Dalton was deservedly voted man of the match and the coaches were pleased to see Rugby’s overall game back to last season’s level - support, communication and high octane speed with great offloads is great to play and great to watch.

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Newbold U15’s - 0 points v Rugby Lions U15’s – 51 points

The Lions travelled the short distance down to Newbold and came away worthy winners. Newbold kicked off and were under pressure immediately from a strong run from Matthews who carried the ball almost to thetry line. Wagstaff was on hand to collect the pass to score in the corner. With plenty of ball , the Lions were running everything at Newbold. Winger Williams bagged the next 3 tries with Clarke converting only one. HT 0-22.