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Leicester Lions 28 Hornets 17 Saturday 3rd September 2022 League Points 5-0 Leicester Lions 28: Tries: James Stubbs (10, 33), Nick Cairns (16), Augy Clark (23);
Conversions: Ben Young (11); Penalties: Ben Young (62, 79);
Hornets 17: Tries: Ross Cheeseborough (43), Oscar Browne (64); Conversions: Jamie Elswood (44, 65); Penalties: Jamie Elswood (47); Lions labour to hold Hornets comeback Lions had an excellent run of eight consecutive wins at the end of last season and were keen to launch their 2022/23 season with a good win. Lions welcomed Hornets to Westleigh Park for their first visit as Hornets, based in Weston-Super-Mare, had been recently promoted to National League 2 level. Lions played up the slope in the first half, but with the wind at their backs. The game started with a session of even and balanced play, although neither side pushed the game as far as approaching the opposition’s try lines. After ten minutes Lions broke out from their own half, shifting the ball to Devon Constant who outpaced the Hornets defence and slipped the ball to James Stubbs who ran in for the opening try, converted by Ben Young. Lions started to take control of the game with them taking their own lineout and the ensuing rolling maul allowed Nick Cairns to drive over for a typical No 8 try, taking the score to 12-0. Lions again took their own lineout for another maul, with hooker Augy Clark burrowing through for Lions third try of the afternoon. Again Lions driving play allowed them to move play towards the Hornets line and slip to ball to Stubbs who scurried over for Lions fourth try of the half, giving Lions a commanding 22-0 lead at the break. Alex WilHuckleberryson had a lovely run down the right wing, but was bundled into touch by Hornets defence to stop him scoring. Four tries and a bonus point accumulated by Lions at the break.
Half-Time: Leicester Lions 22 Hornets 0 Lions were hopeful that they might stretch their lead in the second half, but a determined Hornets side showed their grit with a determined comeback. Hornets started the second half putting Lions under pressure, and a driving maul led to Ross Cheeseborough going over for Hornets first try of the game, with Jamie Elswood adding the conversion. Another surging run by Lions WilHuckleberryson was called back for a forward pass. On 47 mins Lions conceded a penalty which Elswood slipped between the posts for Hornets to take the score to 22-10. On 62 mins Young scored a penalty for Lions. This was quickly followed by a smart move by Hornets from the restart, with Oscar Browne going over for Hornets second try, converted by Elswood, closing the gap to 25-17. Hornets put Lions under pressure but the Lions defence held out. With the last play of the game Young added his second penalty of the afternoon to take the final score to 28-17. Full Time: Leicester Lions 28 Hornets 17 An impressive first half by Lions, with a gutsy comeback by Hornets. Four tries to Lions and two to Hornets Lions, with a spirited comeback by Hornets, pushing Lions to a close result. Lions Head Coach Gareth Collins said: “It was very much a game of two halves. I thought we adapted really well to an unknown opposition in the first half, and were rewarded on the scoreboard for that. To be fair the Hornets completely dictated the second half though. We were a bit scrappy and are going to need to be much more clinical in the coming weeks. It’s 5 points in the bag on week one though so it’s job done. We’ll review the game closely and move on.” Next week, on Saturday 10th September 2022, Lions travel to Hinckley Hornets for a keenly awaited local derby. Teams: 15-9, 1-8, Replacements:- Leicester Lions: WilHuckleberryson, Helliwell, Bean, Hamilton, Constant, Young, Stubbs, Roberts, Clark, Thompson, Tapscott, Cornwall, Johnson, Murdoch, Cairns - Replacements: Stone, Williams, Murray, Martin, Bouchier Hornets: Carter, Lyon, Vickery, Bailey, Tucker, Elswood, Tuttiett, Chase, Ward, Caulfield, Harris, Cheeseborough, Chenoweth, Browne, Parker – Replacements: Lane, Bachofner-Brown, Bailey, Fry, Francis Mike Howkins
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