Barnes 10 Leicester Lions 28

Saturday 9th April 2022

League points 0-5

Barnes 10: Tries: Rob Kirby (24); Conversions: Rob Kirby (25); Penalties: Rob Kirby (41);
Lions 28: Tries: James Stubbs (13), Jake Sterland (35), Nick Cairns (58), Zach Bean (80); Conversions: Ben Young (13, 36, 59, 80).

Barnes stormed by skilful Lions

Lions travelled to Barnes, in west London, having beaten them 36-12 in the reverse fixture at Westleigh Park at the start of February 2022

Lions opened the scoring early on in the game. Lions’ centre Dan Martin broke through the Barnes’ defence with the ball being worked to the Lions’ scrum half, James Stubbs, who touched down between the posts, with fly-half Ben Young adding the conversion.

Lions were putting Barnes under pressure in tight play, but Barnes made the break from defence with them driving over for a try by Kirby, who added the conversion to level the score.

With time on the clock running out in the first half, a well placed kick saw Lions’ winger Jake Sterland race through to score a try between the posts, with Young again adding the extras.

Half-Time: Barnes 7 Leicester Lions 14

At the start of the second half an indiscretion by Lions gave Barnes a penalty which was slotted between the uprights by Kirby to close the gap and bring Barnes back into the game with a score of 10-14.

Careless play by both sides led to three yellow cards in the second half, two to Barnes and one to Lions.

Lions reasserted their pressure on Barnes, with No 8, Nick Cairns, driving through for a typical back row try, with Young adding the conversion and opening Lions Lead to 21-10.

Lions continued their pressure on Barnes and in the dying moments of the game a nifty run by Lions’ Zach Bean took him over for a try, giving Lions the deservedly earned five point victory, with Young making it four out of four conversions.

Full Time: Barnes 10 Leicester Lions 28

A competitive game, with Lions showing their class against opposition who did not give them an easy time in obtaining their deserved victory.

Five tries in total – one to Barnes and four to five to Lions.

Following the game Lions were in fifth position in National League 2 South, with Barnes in twelfth position.

Lions’ Head Coach, Gareth Collins, said: “It was a tricky afternoon for us as Barnes employed an effective defensive strategy. But the lads showed excellent application, taking the game to Barnes, for a well deserved five point victory. We have had a good run over the last few weeks, hopefully leading to a fruitful end of the season“.

Lions’ Chair, Ken Whitehead, said: “Obviously any victory is pleasing, especially away from home. An encouraging sign for future home games against Henley and Redruth, plus the return fixture away against near neighbours, Hinckley”.

Next week, Saturday 16th April 2022, Leicester Lions are at home to Henley Hawks, at Westleigh Park, Lutterworth Road, Blaby, Leicester LE8 4DY, kick off 2.00 pm. Lions defeated Henley Hawks in the reverse fixture in December 2022, by the score of 36-30. Presently Lions are fifth in National League 2 South, with Henley Hawks in sixth position. So, a competitive game is expected.

Teams, 15-9, 1-8 Replacements 16-20

Barnes: Rob Kirby, Jack Walsh, Jordan Souter, Peter Weightman, Paul O’Dell, Jon Burden, Josh Davies, Harrison Short, Jasper Cameron, Cameron Leigh, Ryan Seabright, James Bloxham, Ben Jordan, Charles Clarke, Jack Statham
Replacements: Alex Griffiths-Jones, Freddie Boyce, Alex Collis, Oliver Foster, Joe Barnes

Leicester Lions: Zach Bean, Jake Sterland, Jamel Hamilton, Dan Martin, Devon Constant, Ben Young, James Stubbs, Will Spendlove, Oli Taylor, Isaac Thompson, Ethan Godefroy, Will Ward, Simon Johnson, Johnny Murdoch, Nick Cairns
Replacements: Drew Rudkin, Shaun Murray, Will Roberts, Ben Cornwall, Jed Walsh