L I O N S 2 0 1 0

"Lions Show Character in close Local Derby Clash"

This young Lions side are improving in every match with another great team performance put in, showing their character to bounce back and win the game

It was a great game to watch for parents and all, seeing two sides that never gave an inch either way, with the away side Knottingley taking the lead early on with the "rub of the green" going their way the young lions dusted themselves and kept to the task of completing their sets with big games from their forward line, Kane Easby, Harvey Farrar and Reiss Butterworth putting in some great defense and strong running

Knottingley having the bigger pack were constantly pushed back in defense by the tireless tackling of Josh Haller, centres Harley Wilkinson, and Ashley Ward, stopping certain try's out wide on numerous occasions whilst Luke France and Megan Large were once aging in the frame with good defense and support play making good breaks outwide

Showing big character to bounce back with a few decisions going against them and after conceding 2 early tries, 10 minutes in, the Lions opened their account with the alert Ryan Butterworth spotting the gap and crashed over to score from close range with Zack Burke converting

The Lions gathering momentum with Zach Burke & Reiss Butterworth dictating their men in defense and Tristan Parker punching big holes in the opponents defense, up stepped the strong running Reiss Butterworth opting to run the ball using his strength once again to outpace the visitors and go over the whitewash, tieing the game with conversion just before the interval

After the restart Knottingley came back strong with the Lions taking their foot off the peddle in defense getting up, letting knottingley in for a well taken try out wide with conversion

With all to play for, things could of got worse, but the young Lions gathered together and got stuck back into their game plan working on completion and hard yards, lead by their big prop Harvey Farrar and Fullback Zach Burke helping his tiring forwards out with some great forward running

This set the foundation for big Tristan Parker to come block busting through to score a game breaker try setting up a tense last 10 minutes with conversion by Ryan Butterworth

The Lions showing confidence took the game to the visitors dominating play through great overall team work which lead to Reiss Butterworth setting off fast paced Tristan Parker to make the opening and going through the defense before passing onto the ever supporting up and coming Harley Wilkinson
to score the defineing try in the dying minutes to seal the game, converted by Tristan Parker

Credit goes to Knottingley who showed strength to regather and even up the game with a late charge and try late on with conversion, before time ran out with the Lions once again coming back and looking to score before the whistle went

Man of Match: Harvey Farrar (setting a fine example of running, offloading in tackle and defense) Runner up: Tristan Parker
Man of Match (opponents): Reiss Butterworth (constant threat in attack)
Best Tackler: Josh Haller (putting his body on the line and committing to tackles) Runner up: Zach Burke
Magic Moment (joint): Harley Wilkinson (Defense and backing up play) / Tristan Parker (running 30yrds to set up Harley)
Most Improved: Kane Easby (for completion of sets and making good yardage) Runner up: Josh Haller (great tackling & awareness)

A great game played with spirit and commitment by both sides for the Full 40 minutes!!

Pictured are the match award winners from both sides below