A much-changed Rugby Lions line up still proved too strong for struggling and cash-strapped Waterloo and in doing so gave further evidence of the depth of Lions’ playing resources this season.

A side showing seven changes from the previous game against Broadstreet did not look as disjointed as might have been expected thanks to the whole-squad ethos within the club and the early opportunities underlined that.

Phil Reed broke through midfield in the opening minute and swapped passes with Chris Humphrey only for the final pass to be called forward and Reed’s touchdown to be discounted.

Two less clearcut scoring positions were also not completed before Lions full back Lloyd Warner opened the scoring with a penalty from virtually in front on 10 minutes.

A high tackle on Lions wing Jeff Gregson produced his side’s second Warner penalty and a 0-6 lead with the first quarter played.

So far, Rugby had looked in control but they lost some of their direction from here on, which joint coach Steve Halsey put down to the team being drawn into competing in a more frantic style initiated by a Waterloo side in the process of trying to haul themselves away from the lower reaches of the North 2 table.

Waterloo captain was sinbinned, seemingly for his side’s persistent offside and Warner kicked the resultant penalty for 0-9 after 30 minutes.

But instead of Rugby taking advantage of Waterloo being a man short, a sudden fallibility in their tackling allowed James Gee to score a try converted by Liam McGovern for Lions to go into the half-time break a mere two points ahead despite all their dominance.

Warner added his fourth penalty on the restart before Lions showed some of their most fluent play of the game.

This produced a try for Reed after good work from Humphrey and skipper Matt Goode, Warner adding the extras for a comfortable-looking 7-19 lead.

Waterloo lost a second player to the sinbin when full back Noam Dubart was penalised for foul play and this time Lions did take advantage with a sweeping move from right to left for Gregson to score for 7-24.

Waterloo replied with a penalty from in front when they might have gone for the try but that was the final score and Lions played out the game with some comfort despite losing Darrell Burchnall to the sinbin in what looked a harsh decision.

Lions had made so many changes from their previous game they could have found it hard to find fluency and defensive organisation. However, this was not the case as the players appeared at ease with each other in their units even if there was a falling off of the overall quality of the performance.

Rugby Lions: Warner, Gregson, Goode, Reed, Murphy, Green, Barker, Burchnall, Price, Major, Weaver, Campton, Humphrey, Carney, Walton. Reps: Saunders, Harris, Handley, Spokes, Williams