On Saturday we were at home to old rivals Leicester Lions who we have played many times over the years with honours fairly even. They had narrowly beaten us 29-23 at their ground back in September so we looking to reverse that result and get back to winning ways. It was a special day for Tigers captain Matt Riley who was playing his 450th game for the club in a career spanning nineteen seasons. An incredible achievement and a record for a wonderful player and leader in the professional era. Leicester started really strongly taking the game to the home team and almost scored straight from the kick off with a sharp break down the right wing. It was only a great scramble defence that kept them out and enabled us to clear our line. The first ten minutes of the game belonged to the visitors as they looked to maintain possession and field position in our twenty two at every opportunity but credit to the Tigers defence which held firm and denied them any points. We started to build momentum and continuity and eventually got good field position deep in their half. A good line out on their five metre line was driven over by the forwards for hooker Ben Gregory to touch down and give us the first score. Fly half Warren Seales converted and we were 7-0 up after thirteen minutes. We were now playing good controlled rugby with a strong set piece scrum and line out which gave us a solid platform to play from. A penalty from Warren further extended our lead to 10-0 going into the last ten minutes of the half but Leicester to their credit hit back with a well worked catch and drive try from their forwards in the top left hand corner which put them back in the game 10-5 going into half time. A close half of rugby from two well drilled sides who look to play fast open rugby. The second half started brilliantly for the home team with a try which was started deep in our half. Leicester kicked off, we fielded the ball and moved it quickly along the back line to winger Bertie Bradshaw who ran sixty metres down the right wing beating four defenders and touching down in the top right hand corner. Warren added the conversion and we were 17-5 up with most of the half to go. However we failed to field the ball from the restart and Leicester gained possession and scored in the bottom right hand corner to put them right back in the game 17-10. Despite this set back we kept our composure and discipline and looked to play rugby in their half, building phases and pressure. A second penalty from Warren further extended our lead to 20-10 after fifty minutes and looking to push on and get the win. A lovely passage of play moving the ball left and right saw centre Matt Law line break with a lovely side step and touch down for our third try and a 25-10 lead going into the last ten minutes. We pushed hard to try and get the fourth and bonus point try but Leicester defended well and the game ended 25-10 to the Tigers and a well deserved four point win. All credit to all of the players especially the lads who came off the bench and gave us a big boost especially in Matt’s 450th game. Next Saturday we are on the road again to Hertfordshire team Bishop Stortford looking for our first away win of the season and another winning performance. All support welcome.
Many thanks, Steve Hazz.
