Match Reports - 19 January 2019

Leicester Lions 23 Huddersfield 28

Saturday 19th January 2019

League Points: 2-5

After an exciting start by Lions, solid forward play and effective place kicking wins the day for Huddersfield

Leicester Lions 25: Tries: Max Titchener (1), Oli Taylor (12, 60), Sam Benjamin (39); Penalties: Dan Lewis (76);

Huddersfield 28: Tries: Lewis Workman (21), Mark Chivers (24), Richard Piper (48), Harry Whitfield (68); Conversions: Will Milner (22), Chris Johnson (33, 47, 68)

It was a cold, damp afternoon at TMDP Park, Blaby, for the visit of Huddersfield RFC. The playing surface was in good condition, but a little wet because of rain before and during the game.
Lions made a splendid start to the game when right from the kick-off they took possession, worked the ball up the pitch and then shifted the ball right for Max Titchener to sail through the Huddersfield defence for the opening try after 1 minute.
On 11 minutes Huddersfield’s Chris Johnson was yellow carded.
With the numerical advantage, on 13 minutes Lions drove forward for hooker, Oli Taylor, to crash over the Huddersfield line to add Lions’ second try and extend their lead to 10-0.
As the game progresses Huddersfield’s forward power started to come to the fore.
On 21 minutes Huddersfield worked their way down the wing for their winger, Lewis Workman, to force his way over for their first try, with Will Milner adding the conversion and taking the score to 10-7.
Huddersfield’s forward pressure continued leading to Mark Chivers driving over for a try on 32 minutes, with Chris Johnson adding the extras and Huddersfield taking the lead at 10-14.
At the end of the first half Lions added their third try when they shipped the ball out to Sam Benjamin on the wing, who outpaced the Huddersfield defence to score and Lions took back the lead.

Half Time: Leicester Lions 15 Huddersfield 14

On 45 minutes Lions’ Oli Taylor is yellow carded for a technical offence.
In the second half the weight and power of Huddersfield’s pack started to show. On 46 minutes Huddersfield’s No 8, Richard Piper, went over from tight play for a try and Johnson added the extras to take back the lead at 15-21.
On 60 minutes some fine forward play by Lions moves the ball towards the Huddersfield line. Taylor takes the opportunity to power his way over the line for Lions’ fourth try and closed the score to 20-21.
After 68 minutes Huddersfield strike forward with rumbling tight play, when Harry Whitfield goes over for their fourth try, with Johnson again adding the conversion, to open their lead to 20-28.
On 75 minutes Huddersfield’s Will Milner and Lions’ Devon Constant are both yellow carded.
Now Lions needed to score twice to draw or win the game. On 76 minutes Lions’ Dan Lewis kicked a penalty to close the gap to 23-28, which entitled Lions to a losing bonus point.
After the penalty there was little playing time and Huddersfield held their lead to win the game.

Full Time: Leicester Lions 23 Huddersfield 28

An exciting competitive game, with the lead changing hands and both sides showed their abilities. Four tries to both teams, giving them both a bonus point.

Lions' head coach, Andy Key, says, "We made an exciting and enterprising start to the game with two tries in the first 12 minutes. I felt the team played well and took the game to Huddersfield, testing the opposition. I think that Huddersfield effective tight forward play got the better of us towards the end of the game. Lions’ ‘never give up’ attitude was much to their credit and they showed good spirit for the two points obtained from the game."
Following the game Leicester Lions were in thirteenth position in the league table, although the three clubs above them are within two points, with Huddersfield moving up the table to third position.

Teams: Order 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Leicester Lions: Max Titchener, Sam Benjamin, Jamel Hamilton, Harry Key, Devon Constant, Max Dan Lewis, Alex Smit, Will Roberts, Oli Taylor, Dan Ali, Ollie Tapscott, Ed Sumpter, Simon Johnson, Jonny Murdoch, Ethan Godefroy
Replacements: Ross Herbert, Ben Spokes, Curtis Weaver, Tom Aviss, Josh Leonard

Huddersfield: Tom Hodson, Kian Stewart, Mark Pease, Will Milner, Lewis Workman, Chris Johnson, Joe Green, Alex Battye, Francis Entressengle, Adam Blades, Guy Burrowdale, Matthew Dunn, Nick Sharpe, Lewis Bradley, Richard Piper
Replacements: Harry Whitfield, Mark Chivers, Reuben Pollard, Jack Maplesden, Elliot Knight