Rugby Lions will be bitterly disappointed to have lost a third home derby game this season when going down to Leicester Lions despite a second-half comeback.

Leicester had all the early territory as they kicked long and often on the very light breeze.

Rugby didn’t help themselves when they conceded an early penalty kicked by Jon Boden, one of four former Rugby players in the visitors’ squad.

Then a missed tackle allowed Steven Cross to score, Boden’s simple conversion taking his side 0-10 ahead after just 9 minutes.

Rugby had to take their chances clinically but they missed out when a fine long run by Tom Harris led to Joe Marston going for the line.

Marston got very close but Rugby were penalised for Alex Nash going off his feet at the ruck and the great attacking position was lost.

Leicester were building up heavy pressure on the Rugby defence despite two scuffed long drop goal attempts and the second try came when prolific winger Scott Alfeld burst pass two ineffective tackles on the left touchline for a 0-15 lead that already looked ominous with 25 minutes on the clock.

Leicester pretty much sealed the game with a third try before half time.

Former Rugby Mini Lion Gareth Collins swept through a porous Rugby defence with two fluid swerves to score, Boden converting for 0-22.

Rugby came out from what must have been a difficult half-time break for their players and coaches.

Rugby used the slightly stronger wind to copy Leicester’s kicking strategy and this was part of what allowed them to exert more pressure on Leicester who also lost some of their precision in the second half.

On 47 minutes, Harris made a run for the line before the score was completed by Lloyd Warner, who also converted his try for 7-22.

But Rugby then conceded a penalty straightaway to lose the momentum.

The game became an even battle between two evenly matched sides despite the scoreline.

While Leicester wanted the four-try bonus point, it was Rugby who threatened more.

However, no scores came for over 20 minutes until Nash took hold of the ball with space ahead of him and no visiting defender could touch him as he raced home, Warner converting for 14-25.

Rugby were now in with a shout of a losing bonus point and in the 80^th minute the chance came.

But the possible scoring pass to Harris was just a little low and ahead of him and the ball was spilled.

Rugby Lions: Warner, Marston, Goode, Reed, Harris, Williams, Price, Major, Campton, Braband, Humphrey, Nash, Walton. Reps: Spokes, Burchnall, Carney, Parker, Patston