L I O N S 2 0 1 2

Newly promoted Dewsbury Moor were the hosts for the first fixture between the clubs in many a year. An unknown quantity then; but if the Lions stuck to what they knew, then they would surely bring home the spoils.

The game got underway with Dewsbury kicking off deep into the Featherstone ranks. Very enthusiastic tackling followed as expected from the home team which reminded the Lions of the task ahead. Having the luxury of substitutes for the first time this season meant that the forwards could be spelled to ensure optimum effort throughout the team. Quick play the balls ensured that Featherstone played a lot of football in the oppositions half. Good driving by Sam Tallent and Jack Lloyd at first receiver ensured that the Dewsbury defence were `sucked in` Sam continuing where he left off before the mid season break with terrific `off loading` out of the tackle to create space for the supporting players.

A good blind side move by Brad Simpson and Bradley Gott meant that the latter drove deep into the oppositions half with a determined run and good fending with his hand off. Just held up short of the line the ball was passed down the line in copy book fashion. Josh Mills and Louis Brown linking well to feed Tom Tavakoli, who in turn, had the vision to check his stride and put an absolutely fantastic cross field kick across the defensive line to the welcoming arms of Rhino Lister who touched the ball over the white wash for the opening score of the morning. The blustery conditions ensuring the conversion attempt was pushed wide of the uprights.

The Dewsbury forwards certainly had the enthusiasm to match the Lions but they soon found out that our forwards bow to no one and soon our `one up` tackles were beginning to take the toll on the home team players. Resolute defending ensured that turnover ball was had and from one such effort, three forward drives by Jack Lloyd, Bradley Gott and Sam Tallent got us thirty metres up field. This gave the opportunity for our play makers to swing the ball from right to left. Brad Simpson, Louis Brown and Bradley Gott linked well with Kieran McQuillan who had come through on the loop. Kieran then had the vision to miss Josh Mills out with his pass straight into the hands of Ryan Dawson who in turn showed a good turn of pace to score a marvellous try straight off the training field. The pass itself was worth the admission money alone, well worth the `magic moment` award. To compliment the try, Tom Tavakoli added the very difficult conversion.

Dewsbury Moor came back to the half way line the more determined after a team talk behind the sticks by their coaching staff. Buoyed by this, the Dewsbury forwards rampaged into the Lions defensive line. The Lions held their shape quite well today particularly in the forwards.

On another day, what happened next would have earned the `magic moment` award, not because of the injury but the way in which it inspired the Lions to another level. The home sides number ten came at full throttle after a good inside pass by the hooker. Jack `Buster` Lloyd held firm his ground with a fantastic man and ball collision. The number ten hit the floor nursing his pride and his bruises. The next hit up came via their aggressive and influential number nine, this time he was met by Bradley Gott who again won the collision, the player spilt the ball and was dumped to the floor. With a few minutes to go before half time, the score board perhaps did not reflect the Lions superiority. One last push before half time was needed. Again great work by the forwards got the Lions in a position on the oppositions twenty two. Debutant Jack Everson-Hough making a good impression with a couple of forward drives that would have done well to settle his nerves. The position was set for a planned move. The half backs were ready and only a last ditch tackle by a Dewsbury defender stopped Tom Tavakoli scoring a well worked try. The half time whistle blew.

From the kick off, the Lions kicked short unfortunate not to regain position when the home team forward appeared to knock on. Dewsbury came out ever the more determined after losing a couple of players through injury, such was the intensity of the game. The Lions forwards had to hold their shape for the first ten minutes of the half and ensure the one up tackling held firm. Another debutant, Conner Grace entered the arena on the wing and he came up solid in defence to match his team’s endeavours’ thus far. Sam Tallent carried the ball centre field; Jack Townend came up in support to gather the ball from a great one handed offload by Sam. Jack gaining a further ten metres from the tackle. Again, the position was set out on the left for a well worked move between the half backs. this resulted in Louis Brown striding down the right hand wing, still having a bit to do, Louis shimmied his way over the try line and still had the rugby brain to carry the ball under the posts to ensure a simple conversion by Tom Tavakoli. Just as pleasing as the try was the support play of Brad Simpson, Kieran McQuillan and Josh Mills. They continued with the move until the try was scored, well done.

Alex Hopkinson showed good touches from the full back position, the same player linking well with the centres to gain valuable metres up field. Dewsbury interchanged their forwards to good effect, only stern tackling meant that they remained on the back foot. A good push by Jack Sweaton on the fringe then a spurt from dummy half by Ryan Lister set the ball nicely for Louis Brown to exploit the space left by sucking in the defenders. A deft pass to Alex Hopkinson on the crash ball meant that the gap was created. Alex continued with ball in hand toying with the defenders stepping off one foot then the other to score a fabulous individual effort. Again the pleasing thing is that there were three players in support had he needed an assist. Tom again successful with the conversion.

With five minutes remaining there was a rally call of `no tries`. Good position was gained through excellent driving down field by our forwards who had got their second wind. Early on in the tackle count and so near the oppositions try line, momentum was lost through panic football. A couple of forward drives and then out to the backs once the opposition had been sucked in, would have been the sensible option. The backs however decided to come away from script and `try something of their own` the opportunities were lost.

The Lions were a little unfortunate with a few of the decisions against them particularly as they were so near our own try line. Seventeen consecutive tackles was just too much of an ask for the Lions defence to hold out and a fortuitous try was scored. To little to late however as the whistle blew for the end of the match.

Final Thoughts:

“A great start, a little more composure near the line at times would surely have reaped rewards. A lot of good signs though for the remainder of the season were on show today”

Tries;
Louis Brown      1
Ryan Lister        1    
Ryan Dawson    1
Alex Hopkinson 1                   

Kicks;                                       
Tom Tavakoli     3

Top Tackler(s);             
Bradley Gott   14
       
Man of the Match;      
Sam Tallent; for great off loads and good defence

Magic Moment;
Kieran McQuillan; for his terrific defence splitting pass to enable Ryan Dawson to score

Team Player Award;
Louis Brown; all round team play and distribution of the ball