A very young Lions side missing Matt Goode, Lloyd Warner and Dave Campton with Alex Nash starting on the bench put up a really brave performance against high-riding Caldy’s very aggressive and heavyweight side.

The last thing Rugby would have wanted was an early outbreak of fighting but that’s what they got with skipper Matt Price suffering a cut to the head and Karl Braband a damaged wrist with Price and Caldy flanker Jake Lyon sinbinned after just 2 minutes.

The very big Caldy pack were clearly looking to impose themselves on Rugby and were very vocal in directing the referee how to make his decisions.

As both sets of supporters felt aggrieved at lots of decisions, the ref was probably not doing a bad job.

Rugby showed huge resolution in defence, never taking a step back and holding their own in scrums while excelling on their own ball in lineouts where they were at a considerable height disadvantage.

The first points were score after 14 minutes when Lions full back Joss Andrews kicked from 21 metres for 0-3.

Jack Green then tried to double the lead with a drop goal attempt that slid wide but Andrews’ second penalty gave Rugby that 0-6 lead as the first quarter ended.

The first Lions missed tackle allowed Caldy prop Gavin Woods to run deep into Lions’ half and from that attack Caldy’s Richard Vasey was able to cut the lead from a penalty.

Rugby continued to hold their own through the rest of the first half and thoroughly deserved their slender interval lead.

The second half continued in the same uncompromising manner.

But after 53 minutes, a Lions error allowed Neil Kerfoot to score, Vasey converting from wide out for 10-6.

Caldy then sealed their win when the pack were able to bludgeon their way over the line for a second converted try.

Rugby weren’t finished, however, and an opportunist attack gave Jeff Gregson a try on 77 minutes to secure the losing bonus point which was the least they deserved.