L I O N S 2 0 1 2

25th April 2009. Match Report
 
 Featherstone Lions (under 11`s) Vs Oulton Raiders (under 11`s)
 
“A Jeckle and Hyde performance but the signs are good”
 
Featherstone Lions 18: Oulton Raiders 18
 
On a beautiful fresh bright morning we welcomed our near neighbours and foes, Oulton Raiders. This is notoriously a tough encounter due to the excellent discipline levels and their shear size and power, today proved to be no different in what was a thoroughly entertaining encounter. A good size crowd had come to watch the Lions with reputations mounting, the pressure was on, no one disappointed.
 
The game got underway with the Raiders kicking deep into Featherstone territory. With the Lions notoriously slow starters it was important that we `switched on` from the start. Excellent driving by the forwards got us good field position a further play by Sam Tallent had him bullocking his way up field with powerful leg drive to give the home side heart against their much bigger opponents. It was fitting then that Sam showed his physical prowess by doing the same to score the first try of the morning on the fifth tackle he powered his way over. The conversion attempt just missing the uprights. Had this match been played in January the mistakes made by the Lions would have been understandable due to cold fingers and the like. All too frequently the ball was `coughed` up cheaply early on in the tackle count much to the pleasure and reward of the Oulton Raiders. The next score  belonged to Oulton. Back to back penalties for offside ensured the away team gained forty metres up field, with the position set, good link play followed and the powerful centre breaking two would be tackles scored out wide.
 
From the restart the forwards from either team tested out one and others metal. Tom Tavakoli playing in the second row today made some powerful bursts as did Jack Lloyd who worked tirelessly both in attack and defence. Bradley Gott punched holes repeatedly; ably and always, backed up by Sam Tallent, each of them complimenting each other marvellously. With the ball in hand the Lions `knocked on` wide on the fringes, Oulton very quickly capitalised with some basic but very effective plays and scored their second try again out wide, the Lions at least ensured it was a difficult conversion attempt, as such the kick failed. With half time looming the Lions needed inspiration. It came from the engine room. With the Lions pressing the Oulton try line, excellent tackling ensured that the Raiders line was secure. Brad Simpson and Bradley Gott called the move. A reverse pass found  Bradley Gott who had run from deep, hitting the line hard and low there was no way Bradley was going to be stopped. Unfortunately again the conversion was missed. The half time whistle blew; perhaps the Lions could reflect that it was our own mistakes which had let Oulton through, a little less panic and better ball control in the second half would surely give the Lions the ascendency. Our mercurial coach Wayne Simpson emphasising the point to the full.
 
 
 
With Oulton kicking deep to commence the second half; knock on, twenty metres from our own line. The resultant punishing drives by the Oulton forwards were thwarted centre field. On the fifth, the ball was swung out wide instead of the expectant kick and the winger strode in for another `soft` score. Passion and pride in the shirt was called for from the touchline and a response to such had to come quickly before this game got away from the home side. Jack Everson interchanged for Sam Tallent who had received a knock. Jack took the ball up well against strong tacklers and this will have done his confidence no harm for this and the forth coming matches. Louis Brown returning from a three match injury lay off linked well between the forwards and backs. Louis also putting in a tireless stint at the stand off half position to belay his injury. Kieran McQuillan found some space  with a cutting pass to Jack Townend, Jack striding well through four tackles ensured the position was again set for a planned move. Patience was needed and some endeavour. Sam Tallent now back on the field was just held up, Jack Lloyd attempted to jink his way over again just held up. Brad Simpson set the players to the right hand side, a reverse pass again found Bradley Gott on the burst who again crashed through the Oulton forwards to score out wide. The conversion attempt just going agonisingly wide.
 
With the scores level the Lions looked as though they were going to press on and secure a moral boosting win. A mistake by the Oulton Hooker after good pressure by Conner Grace and Josh Mills ensured good possession for Featherstone. With time now to settle down and not panic, a basic set of six and a chase was called for. Josh Mills realising that the away team had no full back at home, punted the ball up field. Ryan Dawson and Ryan Lister gave good chase and could count themselves unfortunate with the bounce of the ball. The same players staying up field until the cavalry arrived and making the tackles count. As seemed fitting for this game, again a mistake was made, thankfully this time it was the Oulton second rower who had put himself around thus far to good effect for his team. Seven minutes remaining and perhaps the resultant plays would put the game to bed for the  home team. Excellent drives again by the engine room got us into the position required for the backs to weave some magic. Alex Hopkinson did all he could to break down the door of the resolute Oulton defensive line. Jack Everson back on the field for the injured Ryan Lister asked questions also. Louis Brown and Kieran McQuillan tried a `double berry` this time to no avail. Brad Simpson and Bradley Gott got back to script and tried one last time the move that had been so effective prior. Jack Townend this time just held short, Bradley Gott came in on his diagonal run and collected a sweet pass from Brad Simpson, `try time` and straight under the posts making a simple conversion attempt for Tom to punch over much to the delight of the home crowd.
 
With only minutes remaining the Oulton team were in no mood to throw the towel in over the ropes. A couple of refereeing decisions perhaps fell kindly to the Raiders which they took full advantage of, scoring under the posts themselves when the defence seemed set. The conversion attempt was successful making the score 18-18 a piece. From the restart with ball in hand again a sloppy mistake by the Lions meant that Oulton had the opportunity to push on and pinch the game. A couple of forward drives were met well by the aggressive tackling of the Lions engine room ably assisted by Louis Brown. With the last two plays of the game the Oulton centres looked like they had found the key to unlock the defence. Ryan Lister read the play and run out of the line superbly to force a mistake, the effort earning Ryan the `magic moment` award and deservedly so. The whistle blew for full  time. a fair result with neither team deserving to be the losing side.
 
Final Thoughts:
 
“Basic mistakes and some lazy tackling, again costing us dear. Four players again accrued the majority of the tackles which suggests that others are sitting back and letting them do so. In parts we played some fabulous rugby which proves we can do it but consistency must be achieved with all the players playing their part”
 
Tries;
 
Sam Tallent       1
Bradley Gott     3
 
Kicks;         
 
Tom Tavakoli   1                           
 
Top Tackler(s); 
        
Bradley Gott   19
Jack Lloyd      12
 
Man of the Match;    
 
Bradley Gott; A none stop power house
 
Magic Moment;
 
Ryan Lister; in the final few seconds with the Raiders pressing near our Line, Ryan had the vision to spring out of the defensive line and force the mistake
 
Team Player Award;
 
Jack Lloyd; excellent in both attack and defence, never stopped working