L I O N S 2 0 1 2

13th June 2009. Match Report

Featherstone Lions (under 11`s) Vs Oulton Raiders (under 11`s)

“Lloyd shines with a powerhouse performance”

Oulton Raiders 4: Featherstone Lions 4

Although the score line would suggest a dour and not a very entertaining contest between the two sides; this match was anything but. Players from both sides showed what rugby league football is all about at junior level, from the forwards right through to the full back(s) all the players were worthy of their relative shirts. Oulton made a few tactical changes today. Having trained and played to counter the strengths of this Lions team, the size and shape of their side looked ominous to the Lions of Featherstone.

No other playing surface in the district has such discussion with regards to tactics and weather conditions, such is the slope. Oulton playing down the hill received the ball from the Lions kick off. The early exchanges emphasised how this Oulton team were going to play this game. They were taking our forwards on up the middle with their larger set, sucking players in and then throwing the ball along the line where the Lions had left the gaps. The tackling therefore had to be right from the start and from the whole team. The game set the record this season for tackles in a match; one hundred and twenty five. Mention to one player in particular for his efforts, Brad Simpson with eleven tackles, by far his biggest effort of the season. Kieran McQuillan didn’t make so many but the ones he did were important ones. One such effort on the powerful running second rower earned Kieran the magic moment award.

On a very hard pitch, injuries were always going to occur given the ferocity and tempo of the game. The Lions injuries came from the forwards and Oulton`s came from the backs. Both teams’ coaches would have been happy given the completion rate of the sets. Forward drives and distribution of the ball was also admirable from players of such a young age. On the fifth the Oulton Raiders stand off half (who had an excellent game) kicked down the slope into the `bottom corner` the Oulton chase was very good with no fewer than five players in attendance when the ball was collected one metre away from the Lions try line. In an attempt to clear the line, the ball was offloaded in the tackle; unfortunately straight into the hands of the Oulton Raiders stand off who gleefully dived over the white wash to score the first try of the morning. Both the player and the team will learn from the experience. `good un`s get over bad un`s` or so they say!

`The big three` tackled and ran at the opposition as only they could. Jack Lloyd’s first half performance will have been as good as any player from any side this season. Bradley Gott was never too far away and showed some excellent touches coming on the burst from delayed `pop` passes from the peerless Louis Brown. Sam Tallent also doing the hard yards, always looking to offload to any supporting player. With five minutes remaining in the half and only four points behind, the Lions could look forward to playing down the slope in the second half and playing some rugby. A couple of forward drives by Tom Tavakoli and Sam Tallent got us within thirty metres of the Oulton try line. At the play the ball, Brad Simpson flung a reverse pass to Bradley Gott who charged up the field and in turn offloaded the ball to the supporting Louis Brown who in turn did the same for Jack Townend. At the play the ball Jack Lloyd demanded the ball, bursting through two would be tacklers and then side stepping the full back, Jack slammed the ball over the Oulton try line. A tremendous effort from the player and just reward for his efforts in training since the mid season break. Unfortunately the conversion was unsuccessful.



The Lions could look forward to the second half. Both teams playing fabulous rugby but now with the benefit of the slope, the Lions had the advantage. The injuries mentioned earlier where now taking its toll. Ryan Dawson took a heavy bang to the nose, Sam Tallent struggled with his recurring knee injury, Jack Lloyd with his ankle and Bradley Gott with a nasty looking ripped ear. The second half got underway, substitutes were few. Big Jack Everson Hough entered the foray to much applaud. This lad had to come of age today against tough and sometimes uncompromising opposition? With a few words of encouragement from Bradley Gott, Jack took the ball up and smashed his way through a couple of tackles, then continued beyond the gain line with a great leg drive.
Jack stood up and he seemed ten feet taller for the experience. A pat on the back at the play the ball by Louis Brown for his efforts needed no further words.

As planned, on the fourth and fifth tackles the ball was kicked into the corners. Good chase was always given by Josh Mills and Conner grace and were unlucky with the bounce of the ball on a few occasions. The Oulton Raiders half backs were also crafting excellent kicks of their own today, often turning the Lions players around. Alex Hopkinson showed in parts touches of what we know he is capable of and had his best game for quite some time. Tom Tavakoli showed a little more energy from second row today with some hard running and nine tackles. Louis Brown broke the line on a few occasions with his deft side steps and fleet of hand. Unfortunate that the Oulton full back had such a good game, one not so good would have seen Louis break the dead lock for sure.

Nearing the end hearts with in mouths, the Oulton second rower burst through some exhausted looking tackles. The player had caused the Lions difficulty all morning with his line speed, strength and shear size. With the try line looming no fewer than four Lions tacklers tracked back to make the covering tackle, held just short the player reached for the line and the referee rightly judged it a `double movement` Credit to the referee today, he let the game flow and didn’t pull either side up for silly indiscretions that have been apparent in recent matches. Six players today were in double figures on the tackle count. Reward for the recent training ground efforts to instil into the players that all players have a responsibility to do their work in defence. Jack Lloyd despite being injured for the majority of the second half stayed on the field of play. His first half efforts alone earning Jack the player of the match award. Awesome effort. The final words are that for Jack Everson Hough; given that he had less game time than most, Jack left the field with ten tackles under his belt and most importantly for him at least, the respect of all his team mates. The family joy when Jack received the team player award in the clubhouse was a moment to behold and one none of us will forget. “Well done mate”

Final Thoughts:

“Performances like these make all the difference. All the team working for each other shows what can be achieved”

Tries;
Jack Lloyd 1

Kicks; 0

Top Tackler(s); Bradley Gott 17
Jack Lloyd 14

Man of the Match; Jack Lloyd

Magic Moment; Kieran McQuillan

Team Player Award; Jack Everson Hough