L I O N S 2 0 1 2

Featherstone Lions 10: East Leeds 0
 
For the fourth time this season we had the pleasure of playing our nemeses and near foes, East Leeds. The previous meetings have been very close physical affairs with six points being the largest margin of victory. Unfortunately for the Lions, East Leeds taking home the spoils on each occasion. Both teams certainly raise their game for this encounter, I don’t know the Latin version of this fixtures motto but `stand up or be knocked down` must surely be the English translation.
 
The Leeds team bemoaned a few missing players before the kick off, this could be countered by the absence of Big Sam Tallent, one of the `big three` Kieran McQuillan`s continued absence and one other of the `big three` Bradley Gott played the game whilst still carrying a niggling injury and generally feeling unwell. An even contest then!
 
The match got underway with the Lions kicking deep into East Leeds territory. The away team driving the ball back in typical fashion. The difference today for the Lions was that most of the players pushed up from our defensive line and met the opposition head on. This certainly unsettled East Leeds and our discipline which has been lacking from previous matches had to be very good and to the best part it was. Due to Sam’s absence Alex Dean started the match in the forwards. A sign of a good team is that if any player is missing someone else can step up and plug the gap with no difference in the play. Alex Dean was phenomenal, his tackling was bone shuddering and his ball carries were powerful. Another couple of players that stepped up to the mark were Jack `Buster` Lloyd and Ryan Dawson. Jack gave his all; twelve tackles  and twelve ball carries are stats that confirmed his presence today. Ryan Dawson tackled everything that moved, read the game very well and supported his team mates after any mistakes were made.
 
Sustained pressure on the East Leeds line surely had to be rewarded. With firstly Jack Lloyd, Jack Townend then Bradley Gott, the play was taken to the left of the field, with four tackles gone Brad Simpson passed the ball to Louis Brown who in turn crafted a cross field kick to the right of the pitch, which split the East Leeds defence. Josh Mills gleefully gathered and stormed over for a fantastic try. Of note Josh had three players to pass too had he of needed them, simply due to the fact that they had backed up the play. Tom Tavakoli looking to add the conversion, just going wide; more due to the gusty conditions; his kicking technique was exemplarily. Such is the intensity of these matches; mistakes were beginning to creep in on both sides. The Lions could count themselves a little unlucky to be punished on the last tackle for two successive sets. Bradley Gott being the offender on both occasions with aggression punished rather than malice. Fantastic tackling by the whole of the team held the Loiners out and when on the fifth tackle on their third set of six, the attacking player was driven back ten metres and then into touch by Bradley Gott and Ryan Dawson.
You can imagine the adrenalin stream running through the veins of this Lions team. A battle had been won and the Lions had overcome any individuality that has held them back over the recent matches. The half time whistle blew. The Lions players applauded each others efforts on their way to the touchline and refreshments.
 
One thing was for sure, the East Leeds players would certainly come out of the stalls in the second half. Discipline was the key to success and completion of sets was paramount. The tackle count today showed one hundred and twenty three tackles made. This is the highest of the season thus far beating the previous by one, against East Leeds. The difference this week was that five players had gained double figures with the other players amassing what would be expected in their relative positions. That is apart from one player; Louis Brown. From the stand off position, Louis amassed twenty one tackles, which is an incredible effort and one worthy of mention.
 
The second half was soon upon us and as expected the Loiners came at us wave after wave. Their play maker was number seven and if we were not to be undone, he had to be stopped in the middle of the park, Louis Brown, Ryan Lister and Bradley Gott ensured his ball carries were going backwards rather than forwards on most occasions. The away team completed numerous sets of sixes, constantly off loaded the ball in the tackle and put up the high ball to test both our resolve and determination to win the battle. Conner Grace allowed one ball in the first half to bounce, hesitancy there after was very nearly punished but the opposition scrum half thankfully knocked on trying to scoop the ball. That was the only mistake Conner made the entire match. High balls were constantly put up to him and every one he caught with confidence and then had the strength to make good yards. Jack Everson made a  telling confidence boosting run and he made best of the intensity with a couple of tackles. Jack Sweaton didn’t have a lot to do on his wing but what came his way he dealt with confidently.
 
With the East Leeds pressure bearing down inspiration was needed. It came from Jack Townend. Jack at long last showing the Lions what he is capable of collected a loose ball and set off down field hugging the touchline. Eluding three would be tacklers; Jack had the line in his sights, just before the champagne was popped, the Leeds full back pulled off one of the tackles of the season and forced Jack into touch. A well deserved `magic moment` due to the very fact of how it lifted his team mates. The home team forwards were again beginning to dominate the opposition. The position was set after an excellent kick and chase had the away side winger knocking the ball forward after Ryan Dawson and Ryan Lister had gave their all to chase the ball. A good drive by Buster Lloyd set the perfect position for a planned move between  Brad Simpson and Bradley Gott. Fortunately for the away side, the move broke down when the wrong option was chosen and we knocked on over the try line. East Leeds cleared their lines only as far as the twenty two. On the fifth a leading elbow went straight into the chest of Brad Simpson, after the magic sponge Brad retreated to the defensive line. When the ball was played Brad had revenge on his mind, in front of the referee, the ref had no other option than to send the offending player off for ten minutes with a yellow card.
 
We had to stand firm now or we were in danger of losing all that we had worked for would surely be for nothing.  The Leeds team were up for it now and big players had to stand up and play their part. Bradley Gott called for the ball and headed straight into the traffic, Tom Tavakoli ran directly at the forward line. Jack Lloyd stepped up, took the ball and burst the defenders like a hot knife through butter. Scoring beneath the posts to ecstatic scenes around the arena, Jack was swamped by his team mates to much aplomb and happy smiles. The kick was successful and a season turning point was surely to the benefit of the Lions. Brad returned to the field with three minutes remaining. Alex Hopkinson scooted from acting half back and made good ground, Louis Brown had a good run, Bradley Gott then Josh Mills. From  the kick Tom Tavakoli hoofed the ball up field as far as he could. The Leeds outfit pounded the lines in one last effort to get on the score board. Again the Lions were a little unfortunate with the decisions when nearing the completion of the oppositions sets, aggression and desire should not be penalised even though the opposition coaching staff demanded such. Try as they might, there was to be no consolation try today, the Lions held firm for an historic win. Well done to all, a brilliant and resounding team effort.
 
Final Thoughts:
 
“Just before the midseason break, we saw what this team was capable of; at long last we achieved some of the same. Brilliant!”
 
Tries;
 
Jack Lloyd        1
Josh Mills         1
 
Kicks;         
 
Tom Tavakoli   1                        
 
Top Tackler(s); 
        
Louis Brown     21
Bradley Gott     19
Ryan Dawson   15
     
Man of the Match;    
 
Jack Lloyd; Stepped up to the mark with a powerhouse display
 
Magic Moment;
 
Jack Townend; for his lung busting touch line run to clear the defences
 
Team Player Award;
 
Ryan Dawson / Team; Ryan led a fantastic team effort today