Lions finish on a high with sparkling second half show
LEICESTER Lions rounded off their league campaign with a big home victory over Guernsey Raiders to avenge their 17-5 defeat in October, writes Michael Howkins.
Indiscipline early on resulted in a yellow card for both teams, but the Lions were first to put points on the board following forward pressure, with Oli Taylor driving over for the opening try.
Raiders soon hit back with some power play and James Regnard went over for a try, converted by Owen Thomas.
Lions pushed Raiders off a scrum close to their own line allowing Nick Cairns to force his way over for a try from the back row, with Ben Young adding the conversion.
Raiders again retaliated with a smart catch from the restart, allowing Joe Andresen to run through the Lions defence for a try, with Thomas adding the extras.
The first half was end-to-end with Raiders just about holding the upper hand and a slim 14-12 lead at halftime. But the second period was a different story as Lions took complete command with a sparkling display in front of their supporters.
Dan Martin opened the scoring for Leicester by wriggling through the Raiders defence for a try, with Young adding the extras.
That was soon followed by a cruise through by Jed Walsh who slipped the ball elegantly to Taylor to go over for his second try, with Young slotting the conversion between the posts to put Lions 26-14 ahead.
A quick succession of three tries for Lions in the last 15 minutes settled the outcome.
Martin shimmied through the Raiders defence, followed by two rapid tries by Will Helliwell speeding round the Raiders defence on the wing, with all three converted by Walsh, to give Lions a commanding lead.
Lions head coach Gareth Collins said: “We certainly weren’t at our best in the first half but we got our shape sorted in the second half and scored some great tries.
“We were desperate to finish the season on a high and keep the unbeaten home run going, so to get the win was very pleasing.
“To get a bonus point win with so many senior players out as well made it even more impressive.
“It showed how the players in our squad know their roles when they step up and we can keep continuity.
“Having won eight in a row it’s a shame the season has come to an end really!
“It’s been a great season for us though and this win was a fitting end.”
Lions chairman Ken Whitehead said: “This has been a most pleasing season for us, especially as the season developed.
“It is excellent how the lads have knitted together to become a formable outfit under the shrewd guidance of Gareth.”
The level two leagues are being reformed for next season with three regional leagues at level two expected.