L I O N S 2 0 1 2

CELTIC CRUSADERS 44 FEATHERSTONE LIONS 12 – Bridgend

Featherstone Lions’ reign as RLCN title holders came to an end as they were overrun by the Crusaders Colts, Dan Clements’ men making the Grand Final at the end of their debut season.
 
Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium will now see a Celtic double on Grand Finals day next Sunday, with the junior side joining the seniors at the showcase event after a comprehensive eight-try performance; each of their touchdowns coming from a different player in a fine all-round team performance.
 
Two tries in three minutes just after the break – both laid on by the excellent Lloyd White – proved to be the key to victory for the Celts but Lions’ indiscipline cost them early on in the game with two sinbinnings in the first 20 minutes.
 
The first was barely five in, when Simon Child was despatched for dissent and the Crusaders took immediate advantage, White breaking through to set up Greg Callow who went over in the corner, White kicking the tricky conversion.
 
Featherstone equalised five minutes later, Richard Frankland kicked an inch perfect grubber under to the posts and Stuart Davies outran his markers to pounce, Danny Giles levelling.
 
Philippe Gardent was close to a second Crusaders try but dropped the ball when under pressure near the line and no sooner was Child back on, Lions were similarly short-handed again when loose forward Jamie Nicholson was also sinbinned for backchat.
 
As before, with the man advantage, Colts worked their way up the field to take the lead, this time hooker Tom Burnell forcing his way over.
They extended their advantage to 10 points when Gil Dudson scored between the posts with White converting.
 
Straight after the interval it was 22-6, Neale Wyatt palmed the ball back to White who opened up a gap for ChrisVitalini to race 30 metres to score and White beautifully set up the next try, straight from kick off, with another majestic run, Elliot Kear on the end of it.
 
Lions battled their way to a try back on 56 minutes following a period of intense pressure, winger Ben Smith finally finding a gap but their hopes were shortlived.
Crusader Lewis Mills was denied a try after the referee blew for a knock-on and Phil Cushion and Kear, who were both outstanding throughout, went close.
 
Mills finally touched down with 11 minutes remaining on the end of a fine set of six, Kear made the initial metres while Vitalini, Wool and Burnell also had a hand in its creation.
 
Two excellent individual tries from Mark Wool and Lee Williams in the last ten minutes sealed victory, on another historic afternoon in Bridgend.
Crusaders coach Clements was understandably elated at the outcome. “This is what we’ve been aiming for all season” he said.
“We’re delighted that the whole club will be in Warrington next week and we hope it’ll be a day to remember.”
“This was an excellent team performance, we were focussed and we’re looking forward to taking on Bramley for a final time this season.”



WARRINGTON WIZARDS 24 FEATHERSTONE LIONS 32 – Wilderspool

Featherstone Lions are not going to give up their hard-won title without a terrific fight, if their performance to dispose of the in-form Wizards is anything to go by.

Warrington finished a point off top spot but this heartbreaking defeat means that they will not now get chance to appear in the Grand Final in their home town.
The contest was an epic throughout as the Lions despatched the Wizards from the play offs for the second successive year.

The lead changed hands several times in a topsy-turvy encounter but it was the visitors who took their chances at crucial times to progress at the expense of the clearly shell-shocked hosts.
Featherstone opened the scoring in the seventh minute when swept passes uncovered winger Ben Hall whose inside ball sent in excellent Steve Lawrie for an unconverted try.

The visitors increased their advantage six minutes later with a penalty from Danny Giles but Wizards hit back just before the midway point of the half when, after Jono Smith had been held just short, a quick play the ball saw exciting youngster Billy Sheen spot a gap to go over between the posts, Chris Mellor’s conversion levelling.

Three minutes later a penalty close to the Lions line saw hooker Warren Ayres put Smith over to give the Wizards the lead and Mellor tagged on a penalty shortly afterwards but the Lions hit back when Danny Huby forced his way over after good work from Stu Davies.

Wizards had substitute Matt Taylor sin binned for a late tackle on Giles and the recipient slotted over the subsequent penalty to square the score and, right on half time, great work down the right by Adam Hinchcliffe split the home defence and he found Brian Sutton in support to score.

Giles goaled to give the Lions a deserved 18-12 interval lead but it did not last long as nine minutes into the second half, after Stuart Pirrie had been held just short, a lovely flat pass from Ayres put Alan Reddecliff over by the posts for Mellor to bring parity once more.
With the crowd enthralled, the visitors regained the lead again when Richard Frankland stepped over from close range, Giles converting and adding a penalty after the Wizards had Reddecliff sin binned for dissent.

On the hour Featherstone had hooker Dean Gamble yellow carded for deliberate offside on his own line and the Wizards made them pay when Mellor powered over with four men on his back to reduce the deficit to two points.

Four minutes from time Featherstone secured a memorable victory when Frankland pounced on a Wizards mistake to race forty metres to score by the posts and although they had Davies sin binned in the final minute for dissent, Lions were left to celebrate a win that keeps their hopes alive of retaining their crown.

GAME BREAKER – Richard Frankland’s second try four minutes from time finally put the game out of the Wizards’ reach.

GAME STAR – Lions centre Steve Lawrie was a constant threat on attack, continually posing problems for the Warrington defence.


GATESHEAD STORM 16 FEATHERSTONE LIONS 44 – Bullocksteads
Defending Champions Featherstone have forced their way into a play off spot with an eight try win at Storm, who have now lost their last four games as they face increasing pressure to hold onto fourth.
Storm started strongly and only strong Lions defence prevented young second rower Rhys Clarke from scoring as early as the second minute as he was held up over the line.
Home skipper Chris Burnett suffered the same fate moments later and, after Storm were penalised for crossing, from the resultant penalty Lions went the length of the field to score.
Full Back Adam Hinchcliffe made a break from deep in his own half, before the ball was worked wide to allow Brian Sutton, switch from the back row, to cross, Danny Giles missing the conversion.
Lions then doubled their lead shortly afterwards through Bart Thomsen after capitalising on a Gateshead knock on.
Storm almost conceded again when Byron Cooper made a break, Duncan Bain tracking back to make a superb try saving tackle, the Gateshead centre injuring his ankle in the process and having to be taken off.
Lions then scored two tries in quick succession before halftime through Richard Frankland and Thomsen his second, with Giles converting both to see the visitors ahead 0-22.
Gateshead hit back just on half time, Robin Peers gathering a kick and returning it from deep in his own half, outpacing the defence, John Coutts successful with the conversion.
Featherstone effectively took control of proceedings immediately after the re-start when Frankland nipped in for his second and then followed it up moments later when the ball was ripped from full back Liam Andrews in the in-goal area for Martin Hooker to score. Hooker Mick Wykes then crossed, taking advantage of Storm’s player receiving treatment to go through the gap untouched before Hinchcliffe went over in the corner.
Storm hit back with two scores, the first coming from good back play to create space for Gavin Houston to outpace the covering defence, Coutts missing the tricky conversion from out wide then a set move from a penalty allowed Gareth Barron to crash over.

FEATHERSTONE LIONS 16 Pontefract Social 13 – Millpond Stadium
A Good 1st half carried a young Lions side over against a experienced Pontfract side lead well by the the Ever young Peter Walsh!!
ZOOT MOM awards went to joint winners: Kyle Littlewood and Ben Hitch with Chris Sharp and Billy Richardson following close behind
Lions take on Knottingley Veterans int the SEMI FINAL on Saturday 19th July 2pm Kick Off at The Lions Millpond Stadium, with the Winners & Losers going on to play at the FINALS Day at the Millpond the following week Saturday 26th July for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th place K/off 12:30pm and 2pm

WARRINGTON WIZARDS 52 FEATHERSTONE LIONS 12 – Wilderspool
A hat trick of tries from livewire stand off Billy Sheen was the key to Warrington’s tenth win of the campaign, their second half blitz accounting for the Lions.
The sides were locked at 18-all four minutes into the second half but once Sheen had crossed for his second touchdown soon after, it was one-way traffic.
The visitors took the lead from the opening set, Warrington knocking on in possession and Ben Hall gathering to score.
Sheen responded with his first, on the back of a quickly taken tap penalty, Andy Addison, Danny Shaw and Chris Mellor combining to send him over.
Mellor and Danny Giles swapped penalties and Warrington took the lead when Matt Wilson found space to go over by the posts.
Ben Smith replied in kind from ten metres out but Wizards went in ahead at the break when Hall this time lost possession and Shaw swooped to go in by the posts.
Brian Sutton regained a fumbled bomb to bring the sides level again in the 44th minute but Featherstone were undone by another quick tap near their line, Warren Ayres superb long cut-out pass sending in Sheen.
Addison and Alan Reddecliff carved out a chance for Shaw and from the re-start a mistake by the visitors saw Reddecliff snaffle the ball and beat the cover with a clever dummying run.
Again the visitors squandered possession and Matt Taylor freed Ian Stephenson, his ball back on the inside sending in prop Anthony Beckett.
Wilson and Shaw set up Ayres and in the final play, a lovely grubber by Stephenson found Sheen in acres of space and he snared his treble.

FEATHERSTONE LIONS 44 DEWSBURY CELTIC 0

A comprehensive first half performance laid the platform for victory as Lions posted eight tries.
Their defence throughout was outstanding and their handling all the more praiseworthy after a downpour ten minutes in threatened to turn the derby clash into a lottery.

Featherstone welcomed back last season’s National Three ‘Player of the Year’ Bart Thomsen after returning from Australia and although he was suffering from jet lag, he added further beef to an already tough pack.
Brian Sutton, who has been in fine form of late, and was a threat throughout, set the ball rolling with a powerful surge for a try in the first minute.

Richard Frankland, playing out of position at stand off but who was instrumental in two tries, kicked the first of his six goals.
Centre Byron Cooper was a handful out wide and romped over to double the lead in the 15th minute.

Stuart Davies extended the advantage just before the half hour and Cooper made it 20-0 at the break with his second after more good work from winger Adam Hinchcliffe.

With Craig Barker superbly directing operations for the Lions, Davies crossed again just after the break and Ben Hall made it 30-0 on the hour as the hosts continued to dominate position and possession.

Hinchcliffe gained his reward soon after with another raking run and Frankland completed an authoritative display with the final try and goal for 16 point personal haul.

Although out played, Celtic prop Mark Chandler put in a terrific display for a side that never gave in but on the day were no match for their opponents who remain in play off contention.

FEATHERSTONE LIONS 22 BBRAMLEY BUFFALOES 24

Bramley Buffaloes left it late before snatching victory from the jaws of defeat at Featherstone Lions Millpond Stadium on Thursday evening as Bramley eventually won 22-24 in a tough uncompromising contest. A Tony Williams try on 78 minutes finally edged the Buffaloes in front and moved them back to second in the table behind Crusader Colts but level on 27 points each.

Due to a long standing prior booking at the Featherstone ground this game was rescheduled from the previous Saturday's round 10 fixtures. Both teams showed changes from their previous outings, Featherstone fresh from a 28-62 beating of East Lancashire Lions and the Buffaloes after their 40-16 defeat of Dewsbury Celtic. Featherstone welcomed back Dale Ferris at full back, Danny Giles at scrum half, influential front rower Mark Tepper and Adam Thaler at loose forward. For the Buffaloes, Shaun Flynn, Paul Drake and Neil Hesketh were all unfit to play, whilst Daniel Caston was unavailable.

This game was the reverse of the opening day fixture which ended in a tense 22-22 draw, since then Bramley have maintained a place near the top of the table producing some very good performances along the way, most notably their excellent performance at Crusader Colts, although by and large not yet hitting the heights of consistency. Featherstone Lions on the other hand have been plagued by player unavailability, injuries and inconsistent performances which had left them prior to this game just outside the top six, but with games in hand and more than capable of stringing some wins together in the second half of the season.

A good crowd gathered on a dry and breezy evening with a large and vociferous travelling support from Bramley. Tony Williams kicked off for Bramley who were playing towards the clubhouse in the first half. His strong kick bounced over the despairing Lions players and found a good touch 30m out. The first 5 minutes of the game were characterised by a series of Bramley penalties as a result of some over enthusiastic play by the Lions. A good kick-chase by the Lions saw them exert some early pressure on the Bramley line after Paul Coates had off-loaded the ball into a Lions players arms before being tackled into touch into, solid defence by Bramley kept the game score-less. On 6 minutes Simon Child the Lions front rower was given a straight red card by the referee following a late high tackle on Kevin Till. From the resultant penalty Bramley tested the Lions defence and on the sixth tackle a perfectly flighted Tony Williams kick saw Danny Johnson out-jump his opposite number to touch-down in the corner. Paul Coates failed with the conversion in difficult kicking conditions. Bramley dominated the next 10-15 minutes of play as both Tony Williams and Kevin Till directed the team around the pitch and built pressure on the Featherstone defence. On 14 minutes after good footwork from Kevin Till, Tony Williams followed his own short kick to the posts and touched down for an easy try and the Lions had made a real meal out of clearing the kick. Paul; Coates converted and it was 10-0 to Bramley. Featherstone"s defence was working hard to keep the Buffaloes out, when they did get ball in hand they were making good progress especially through some aggressive running from their forwards. Bramley spurned a couple of opportunities to post more points as a result of poor decision making near the Lions line, this would prove costly. On 20 minutes Featherstone seemed to up their game as they got more possession and started to force errors from the Bramley team. The Lions created space through some good off-loading and only a couple of big tackles by John Elliker prevented Feathersone posting points. However on 27 minutes following a Bramley drop-out and some excellent goal line defence which appeared to have halted the Lions, on the sixth tackle and seemingly going nowhere, the Lions threw a speculative, without looking between the legs pass -out, which was comfortably taken by Richard Frankland stood all alone on the wing who scored in the corner, no conversion. Although down to 12 men you would never have known as the Lions buoyed by their score, roared back.

Graham Harrison was sin-binned on 31 minutes for jumping into the kicker. From the penalty where the kick was fielded further pressure saw Dean Gamble crash over from close range and Danny Giles conversion brought the teams level. Bramley still had no ball and were now conceding penalties, allowing the Lions consistently good field position. It was no surprise then when on 37 minutes some excellent passing through the hands along the line put Adam Hinchliffe over in the far corner for a deserved score. There was no conversion and no further action of note in the remainder of the half.

Half-time probably came at the right time for Bramley as it allowed Coach Paul Cook the opportunity to re-focus his team on the task in hand.

The second half started with Bramley looking enthusiastic going forward, but again unforced errors and very resolute defence by Featherstone led to both teams slugging it down the middle and no end product. Featherstone’s kicking game was much in evidence, as high bombs and long kicks penned Bramley back and forced them to mount attacks from deep within their own half.

This simple plan was working well for the Lions who put recent indifferent form before them and were playing like a top of the table team themselves. Another high cross-field kick saw Adam Hinchliffe out jump John Richardson on 51 minutes to stretch the lead to 18-10 and register his second try of the game.

In their urgency to get back in the game a number of Bramley players were penalised for being off-side from the kick-off, Danny Giles landed an excellent penalty from half way to make it 20-10. Bramley went back to basics and started to drive the ball forward, this paid dividends on 55 minutes when Tony Williams with tacklers all over him managed to get a pass out to the ever willing Andy McGann who was right on his shoulder to take the pass. Andy crossed under the posts and Paul Coates converted to draw Bramley back to 20-16. To their credit there was no sign of fatigue in the Featherstone ranks as they continued to take the game to Bramley.

From the kick off Featherstone regained possession and came mightily close to scoring again after being held up on the line.

Andy McGann scored a great individual try on 65 minutes when he raced 70m to score in the corner, receiving the ball from John Elliker he outpaced the defence and then turned fullback Dale Ferris inside out before scoring his fifth try of the season. 20-20 with 15 minutes to go and all results were still possible.

Bramley supporters expecting a Dewsbury Celtic like finish were disappointed as on 71 minutes Danny Giles landed an angled penalty following a high tackle, on reflection the Lions may have rued the opportunity to take the 2 points rather than go for a converted try. As the clock ticked down though Featherstone defended with great determination and although they never looked likely to score a long range try their forwards still continued to make great metres to set up good field position. Dean Gamble and Mark Tepper were instrumental in all the good things they did.

However cometh the hour cometh the man and that man was 'T’, Tony Williams who with only 2 minutes left somehow found space, and from 15m his pace took him through a gap and over in the corner to the delight of all Buffaloes players, staff and supporters. This was his twelfth try in just 5 appearances, an inspired acquisition.

Again no conversion in windy conditions but now it was the Lions who had to find a response. There was still time for Featherstone to have a set of 6 which turned into another set following a charge-down and re-gather as they surged forward. Thankfully a knock-on resulted as they tried to keep the ball alive. Bramley then took the ball downfield and Tony Williams kicked to touch as the whistle went to end a see-saw game.

Bramley will hopefully play with more fluency in the coming weeks but there is no doubt that they go the whole 80 minutes and are capable of scoring at any time – always a useful trait to have in situations such as these. Featherstone may well play worse and win, however if they can maintain the level of control. And commitment they displayed in this game then they are a definite threat to the teams around them.



Game star: Tony Williams; for periods of the game he was quiet, but when he explodes with ball in hand he has the ability and presence to create opportunities for others and himself as was demonstrated with 2 tries for himself and creating 2 others.

Game breaker: Andy McGann’s great solo try drew Bramley level and set them up for a late tilt at Featherstone; however Tony Williams late late try sealed the game.

Featherstone Lions: 1 Dale Ferris, 2 Adam Hinchliffe, 3 Stu Davies, 4 Byron Cooper, 5 Richard Frankland, 6 Jamie Nicholson, 7 Danny Giles, 8 Simon Child, 9 Dean Gamble, 10 Mark Tepper, 11 Danny Huby, 12 Brian Sutton, 13 Adam Thaler. Subs (all used) 14 Mick Wykes, 15 Ben Smith, 16 Craig Barker, 17 Kris Smith

Tries: Frankland (27), Gamble (31), Hinchliffe (37 & 51)

Goals: Giles 3/6

Bramley Buffaloes: 1 Paul Coates, 2 Danny Johnson, 3 Matt Mullholland, 4 Andy McGann, 5 John Richardson, 6 Kevin Till, 7 Tony Williams, 8 Richard Leese, 9 Graham Harrison, 10 Mark Butterill, 11 John Elliker, 12 Gareth Thirsk, 13 Jon Nicholls. Subs (all used) 14 Scott Pendlebury, 15 Daniel Lavery, 16 Thomas Webb, 17 Steven Gill

Tries: Johnson (7), Williams (14 & 78), McGann (55 & 65)

Goals: Coates 2/5

Sent Off: Simon Child – late high tackle

Sin binned: Graham Harrison late tackle

Half-time: 14-10

Final score: 22-24

Referee: Mick Croft

Men of the Match:

Featherstone Lions: Dean Gamble

Bramley Buffaloes: Tony Williams



Andrew Coldrick



EAST LANCASHIRE LIONS 28 FEATHERSTONE LIONS 62 – Anchor Ground, Darwen FC
Two tries and 12 goals from winger Richard Frankland saw Featherstone win the battle of the Lions in Darwen. The Yorkshiremen, with a much-changed line up, made a terrific start with three quick-fire touchdowns to initially dispirit their opponents.
Hooker Mick Wyke started the ball rolling with a scoot out of dummy half, Frankland profited from some excellent expansive play and second rower Danny Huby proved unstoppable from close in.
With so many newcomers in their team, East Lancashire were their own worst enemies, failing to control the ball but as they started to gel, they made significant in-roads.
Winger Simon Middlehurst found he is way over in the corner and Dave Needham converted.
Featherstone centre Dale Ferris with the first of his try hat trick extended the visitor’s lead although Chris Greenwood and another Needham goal narrowed the margin further. Scrum half Jamie Nicholson nipped over with a characteristic side step to make it 30-12 at the break and the visitors seemingly in control.
The introduction of Ben Simpson seemed to galvanise the hosts and he was instrumental in setting up Neil Walsh at the start of the second half.
However, every time Easts’ seemed to be gaining a foothold, dropped balls and indiscipline cost them.
Ferris proved difficult to hold out wide as he completed his treble and, in reply, smart backing up by Rob Kershaw on the back of more good work from Simpson, brought him a brace. Featherstone finished strongly, Frankland and Brian Sutton taking them past the half century and, in the closing stages, more expansive passing saw winger Ben Hall cross with stand off Jon Aedr claiming their eleventh touchdown in the closing minutes.

24th May 2008
FEATHERSTONE LIONS 34 LIVERPOOL BUCCANEERS 26
A second consecutive victory of the season edged the defending champions into a play off spot at the end of a tough but highly entertaining encounter.
Outstanding prop Mark Tepper led the way with a hat trick of tries but, following a 48th minute melee when the hosts were reduced to eleven men with two dismissed, their defence stayed strong to ensure the spoils.
Alex Williams continued his fine form for the Buccaneers when he ploughed over to open the scoring in the sixth minute but four touchdowns in a stunning quarter hour blitz put the Lions in control. Tepper grabbed his first, Danny Giles excellently converting into the wind and long striding back rower Paul Watson made it 10-6 soon after.
With their pack very much in the ascendancy, front rower Mark Richardson proved unstoppable from close in and five minutes later, as Buccaneers struggled to get out of their own half, Craig Barker exploited a gap in their defence to go over near the posts.
Relief for the visitors came when Featherstone fumbled the kick off and two tries in consecutive plays put the contest back in the melting pot.
Keiran Lacey kept his balance well to go over, Mark Forber converting and Ben Toleman linked well on an extra man overlap to make the corner and leave the score at 22-16 at the break. More inventive play by the Bucc three minutes into the second half saw the side level, impressive centre Daz Forshaw proving too strong and elusive for the cover defence. The sides came to blows soon after, each having a player sinbinned for the initial altercation and Lions losing two more when it boiled over.
Tepper, stepping up superbly to plug the gaps, settled the contest with two tries in seven minutes just after the hour, both showing tremendous resolve and determination to make the line.
Forshaw’s second, late on, was small consolation for the visitors.

HEMAL18-22 FEATHERSTONE LIONS
Hemel Hempstead Stags' inability to deal with a danger man again cost them dearly as they lost to defending league champions Featherstone Lions at Pennine Way.
Last week it was Dewsbury danger man Paul Gledhill who tore apart the Stags defence, and this week it was left to second row John Smith to the put the home side to the sword with four tries.

His first came only three minutes after a surging run,
but Stags clawed back precious points only minutes later when Barry John Swindells hit a penalty from the half way line.

A real war of attrition followed for the next 20 minutes with each side failing to score a point.

But the final minutes of the half belonged to Smith, as he added to tries to his tally in seven minutes with some good running that the home defence simply couldn't handle.

With a 16-2 lead the Lions looked to be on their way to a win, but a sensational start to the second half saw Stags score three tries in 15 minutes, giving them a two point lead.

Barry John Swindells was first to cross, backing up a midfield break. Caine Wynyard then powered his way over and was then part of the move of the game as, in combination with debutant Meli Allen and Swindells, he sent in Blake Kirby.

But no sooner had Stags stormed into the lead for the first time during the game then they were behind again, as Smith ran over to add his fourth with 20 minutes left on the clock and kicker Danny Giles successfully converting.

The gritty Lions side managed to play good basic rugby for the remaining quarter of the game, and held out for a valuable win that leapfrogs them over Stags and into seventh place.

Coach Troy Perkins said: "We knew it was going to be tough but I was confident that if we performed to our best we could get a result.

"Unfortunately we didn't get the best start. We spoke about what we had to rectify in the second half and they responded well but conceded a soft try with 20 minutes left.

"We still have a few players on the sidelines which doesn't help but hopefully over the next few weeks we will get them back and that will give us more depth for the second half of the season."