Lions’ pressure pays off with a close victory at the league newcomers

YOUNG’S EXCELLENT KICKING LAYS FOUNDATIONS FOR WIN

Barnstaple 14 Leicester Lions 17

IN a tight game, Lions’ pressure caused Barnstaple to give away penalties and excellent place kicking by Ben Young won the day for Leicester, writes Michael Howkins.

But the Lions began a little sluggishly after making the long journey from Blaby to the division newcomers from Devon.

From a lineout Barnstaple took the ball and drove forward for their No 8 Dan Lee to drive over.

Jake Murphy added the conversion to put Barnstaple 7-0 ahead.

But Lions responded with a dynamic run from their winger Devon Constant, who went over for an unconverted try to make the score to 7-5.

On 16 minutes, careless play by Barnstaple conceded a penalty to Lions which Young slotted between the posts to give Lions an 8-7 lead.

A period of pressure by Lions pushed Barnstaple back onto their try line.

But Lions were unable to convert this pressure into points until the final minutes of the first half when Young scored his second penalty to give Lions an 11-7 lead at half-time.

Young added a penalty for Lions after 51 minutes to stretch Lions’ lead to 14-7.

On 62 minutes, Lions’ Simon Johnson was yellow carded for a technical offence. Barnstaple were quick to take advantage of their numerical superiority when they drove forward from a maul, with their wing forward Winston James going over for a try, converted by Jake Murphy, to make the score 14-14. But from the restart, Barnstaple conceded yet another penalty which Young kicked to put Lions back in the lead at 17-14.

Both sides had opportunities during the remainder of the game, but the defences held strong, with Lions taking a deserved away victory.

Lions head coach Gareth Collins said: ‘‘In spite of their relatively low league position Barnstaple did not give us an easy afternoon.

“We played well in a game in which both defences showed their character. I felt we gave of our best and deserved the hard fought win.”

Lions chairman Ken Whitehead said: “It was a long day and journey for us to travel down to the West Country to play Barnstaple.

“In a tight game we felt that we held our own for a well crafted victory”.

On Saturday, Lions face another away game.

They will be travelling to St Albans to play Old Albanian, with the kickoff at 3pm.