The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Honour in defeat for depleted Borough and Lions fifteens
Peterborough Lions and Peterborough RUFC were beaten in their final pre-season friendlies, but neither team has let the result shake their confidence.
Lions went down 45-14 at higher level Broadstreet, while Borough lost 31-14 at Leighton Buzzard with coach Shane Manning taking the opportunity to field a team made up almost entirely of fringe players.
The city rivals are in the same Midlands Division this season with Borough starting their campaign at title fancies Kettering on September 3 and Lions travelling to Dronfield on the same day.
The excellent Rob Jacobs scored two tries for Borough.
“I was happy with several parts of our game,” Manning said. “I took the opportunity to give a lot of our fringe players some first team experience.
“We went without around 20 regular first team players, but there were some top displays with a few now pushing for a place against Kettering.
“Our scrum and lineout functioned well. Forwards to stand out were Doyle Gordon, who controlled the lineout, while Josh Lilley’s workrate was really good and Zac McClure was his usual busy self.
“Rob Jacobs was exceptional scoring two very well taken tries, and Liam Dunne, who moved to centre from the flank, did really well.”
Lions travelled with several colts in their squad and acquitted themselves well.
It was 14-14 at half-time before the Midlands Premier Division side pulled clear after the break. Weir Filikitonga and Tevita Tiueti scored the Lions tries with Will Moore adding two conversions.
Standout defensive performances came from new second row forward Lewis Colledge and back row man George Roberts. Chris Diamond, another debutant, staked a very valid claim to man of the match for Lions working tirelessly all game.
Lions chairman Andy Moore said: “I was worried about taking on higher level opponents with a weakened side, but it was a proud moment to see how well our youth programme is working.”
Lions have a friendly in Beccles on Saturday.