L I O N S 2 0 1 2

21st March 2009. Match Report

Featherstone Lions (under 11`s) Vs Stanley Rangers (under 11`s)

“One to fifteen, the whole team were excellent”

Featherstone Lions 34: Stanley Rangers 0

On a beautiful sunny spring morning, we extended a warm welcome to the newly promoted Stanley Rangers. This was the first home game since November 2008 and to celebrate the occasion we had the pleasure of playing on the first team pitch. Stanley Rangers, like Dewsbury Moor last week, were an unknown quantity to the Lions. One thing for sure, they had not come to make up the numbers and a very sizable and physical set they were.

The game got underway with Stanley Rangers kicking off. In the early exchanges both sides looked nervous and quite a few mistakes were made with dropped passes and mis timed runs. Given that we are only two weeks in after the midseason break, the players could be excused if they were a little `ring rusty` For the first ten minutes defences held firm with some big `hit ups` and solid man and ball tackles from both teams. Stanley perhaps a little frustrated that their big men were being knocked to the ground by their smaller counterparts. Stanley Rangers are not the first team and won’t be the last to be surprised by the Lions tenacity in the tackle.

With the away side tiring in the middle of the park, the call went out from the touchline to spread the ball out wide and make their big forwards chase the ball. From a turnover ball, Brad Simpson fed Louis Brown, Louis beat two would be tacklers and then off loaded to the supporting Bradley Gott. Bradley turning out of the tackle showed great hands to create the space for Josh Mills to score in the corner. Tom Tavakoli from a very difficult position added the conversion. The second score came from a typical burst from Tom Tavakoli. Jack Lloyd and Sam Tallent had set the platform taking the play to the right hand side of the field. Kieran McQuillan fed Louis Brown who in turn fed Tom on the crash ball. Tom had the vision to take the play left and throw a fantastic pass out to the in form Josh Mills who ran straight through the full back to score a great try. With minutes to go before half time Brad Simpson attempted to take the ball forward, in the collision, Brad was a little unlucky to be turned on his back and subsequently he came off injured. Conner Grace came on and filled the wing berth with Kieran McQuillan covering the half back role. From a good burst by Sam Tallent the ball was set with Louis Brown again finding Bradley Gott in the supporting role. Bradley brushed aside a couple of defenders and fed one handed out of the tackle to birthday boy, Ryan Dawson. Ryan enjoying his best spell of form at present showed great enthusiasm both in attack and defence today and with such determination found the effort to fling out a lovely pass to the supporting Louis Brown who in turn still had a lot to do to score in the corner. With the conversion missed, the half time whistle blew.

The half time team talk by Coach Wayne Simpson asked for more ball control and to make sure we completed our sets. Use our kicking game to more effect and ensure the game was played in the oppositions half.
The second half got under way with Louis kicking deep into Stanley territory. The chase was good and the Stanley three quarter knocked on such was the pressure of the Lions defence. From the scrum Kieran McQuillan popped the ball up for Jack Everson Hough to run onto. Jack having settled in the team shows more confidence with every training session and every game, powered through the first tackler and only three Stanley defenders stopped him making further ground. The smile on his face as he played the ball was worth the admission money on its own. On the fifth tackle Louis Brown collected the ball and kicked a great Derrick Fox into the corner for Tom Tavakoli to chase, Tom collected as the ball sat nicely to score a fabulous try. Tom converting his own try to make the score twenty points to nil in the Lions favour.

Jack Sweaton interchanged with Conner Grace on the wing and showed good touches in defence when it mattered. Brad Simpson tried his best to get back into the game despite his injury but the injury proved too much and Brad left the field to good applause. Alex Hopkinson not having too much to do from the full back position was called on as the Stanley number eleven broke through some weak tackling on the fringes to stride down the touchline. A fantastic tackle around the legs halted the player in full flight. The covering defence was set and the opportunity was lost. The gaps were at last beginning to show in the centre of the field; this due to the defensive efforts of the Stanley players trying to stop the Lions going forward.

The tireless Bradley Gott continued to show what an engine he has by continuing to defend earning the top tackler and linking with the backs to the very end to earn the man of the match award. Jack Townend despite his niggling groin injury showed up very well in defence today and to his credit carried the ball forward to play his part in the next try. Louis Brown was instrumental in everything that was good today and it was he who set the ball for Jack Townend to burst up field. From the play the ball, Kieran McQuillan fed Louis who again found Tom Tavakoli who took the ball within twenty metres of the Stanley try line. Quick hands to Josh Mills then to Rhino Lister looked like the latter would be tackled into touch. Deft footwork off one foot then the other had four players clutching thin air as Ryan touched over the line to fantastic aplomb from his team mates and earning the `magic moment` award to boot. Tom Tavakoli, again adding the difficult conversion.

With five minutes to go the Stanley boys were realising what this division is all about. Great forward play by Jack Lloyd and Sam Tallent sent us deep into the Stanley half. Jack Townend again pushed forward with enthusiasm unlucky to have his heels clipped when the player looked as though he had broken through. From a double berry, the ball found Louis who again via a planned move put a fantastic kick through over the defensive line. Alex Hopkinson chased the ball and collected from a very difficult bounce to go unopposed over the white wash. A fantastic try and one worthy of the superb Lions team.

The last score of the morning was a typical effort from the team player award winner, Louis Brown. Stanley Rangers stand off half; Thomas Hardwood was unlucky to be on the losing side today. His distribution skills were top drawer and it was from his kick on the fifth that Louis took the ball on the full a yard out from his own try line.
With a step and a shimmy Louis beat the Stanley defenders and cantered up the right hand touch line with the opposition’s winger giving chase. Both players giving their all with Louis just touching down before the winger brought him down.
A full length effort and just reward for the player’s efforts through out the morning. The full time whistle blew too much applause from the spectators on the side lines

Final Thoughts:

“A very good solid team effort. The tackle stats prove that all the team are holding their line and sharing the workload, which in turn highlights the team spirit at present”

Tries;
Louis Brown 2
Josh Mills 2
Ryan Lister 1
Tom Tavakoli 1
Alex Hopkinson 1

Kicks;
Tom Tavakoli 3

Top Tackler(s);
Bradley Gott 12
Ryan Dawson 10

Man of the Match;
Bradley Gott; awesome effort both in attack and defence

Magic Moment;
Ryan Lister; magic feet to beat three defenders to score a fabulous try

Team Player Award;
Louis Brown; involved in everything today, distribution of the ball and his vision was a master class