Saturday 16th April 2022

League Points 5-0

Leicester Lions 38: Tries: Devon Constant (4, 70), Oli Taylor (15, 30), Ed Sumpter (55), Jake Sterland (75); Conversions: Ben Young (31, 56, 71, 76).
Henley Hawks 12: Tries: Samson Adejimi (66), Alex Harmes (79); Conversions: Guy Rawsthorn (80);

Lions harry the Hawks for five point victory

Lions give Hawks six of the best in a well deserved win

Lions played down the slope in the first half, but with a cross pitch breeze.

Lions were quickly on the attack and on 4 mins the ball was moved out to the left and winger Devon Constant outpaced the Hawks’ defence to squeeze into the corner for a try.

Lions soon put forward pressure on Hawks and splendid driving allowed their hooker Oli Taylor to roll off a mail and surge over for a try.

Lions took a line out off the Hawks throw, with some rampaging forward play taking Taylor over for his second try, converted by Ben Young, establishing a 17-0 lead going in for half time.

Lions’ Constant had a searing run down the left wing but was forced into touch just short of the line, taking out the corner flag.

Half-Time: Leicester Lions 17 Henley Hawks 0

Lions again took a Hawks’ line out throw, with rumbling forward play taking them up the field and Ed Sumpter cruising through for Lions fourth try of the afternoon, with Young adding the extras.

An excellent comeback by Hawks showed they were not going to concede easily, with Samson Adejimi flitting through the Lions defence for Hawks’ opening try, taking the score to 24-5.

Lions quickly re-asserted themselves in the game with speedy attacking backs’ tries for Constant, on the left wing, touching down under the posts and Jack Sterland, shown some open space on the right wing and skipping round the defence and grounding the ball, both converted by Young.

In the final play of the game Hawks’ Alex Harmes outpaced the Lions’ defenders for a try, converted by Guy Rawsthorn, to complete the afternoon’s scoring.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 38 Henley Hawks 12

An enjoyable match of spirited flowing rugby. Some powerful scrummaging by Lions.

Six tries to Lions and two to Hawks.

Following the game Lions were in fifth position in National League 2 South, with Hawks in sixth position.

Lions Head Coach, Gareth Collins, said: “Absolutely delighted with today’s performance. Henley are one of the best teams in the league so to win so convincingly was a great result. The boys did everything we asked of them; they were physical in defence and did a good job dealing with Henley’s set piece and threats out wide. A lot of positives to take forward.”

Lions Chair, Ken Whitehead, said: “Again an impressive performance by the lads under Gareth’s guidance, for an emphatic win. We are now looking forward to next week’s fixture against our local rivals, Hinckley.”

Teams – 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Leicester Lions: Will Helliwell, Jake Sterland, Zach Bean, Jamel Hamilton, Devon Constant, Ben Young, James Stubbs, Will Roberts, Oli Taylor, Isaac Thompson, Ed Sumpter, Will Ward, Simon Johnson, Johnny Murdoch, Ethan Godefroy
Replacements: Rhod McNaughton, Shaun Murray, Drew Rudkin, Ben Cornwall, Ben Duke
Henley Hawks: Guy Rawsthorn, Reuben Norville, Alex Harmes, Terry Babarinsa, James Davies, Will Panday, Toby Gilbey, George Probyn, Tom Emery, Rory Mason, Sam Lunnon, Jacob Albon, Marcus Lowe, Will Bordill, Alex Bradley
Replacements: Samson Adejimi, Finlay Glass, Tom Hall, Scott White, Sam Allen