LEICESTER LIONS 57 BOURNVILLE 14
Report by Billy Page
For the second week running, Bournville found themselves facing one of the top two sides, this time a visit to Leicester Lions, who only had a narrow loss to Dings that blotted their book so far. Bourns were under the pump from the early stages when Lions opened with a drive up the right, then switched to the left for centre Jamel Hamilton to skim through a gap in the Bournville defence for the opening try, converted by Ben Young.
This was followed by Dan Martin breaking through the centre for Lions, going over for their second try. Lions had another break with clever interchanges between Ben Young and James Stubbs, with Stubbs going over for the try. Young slotted the two conversions between the posts to take the score to 21-0.
Bourns managed to hold some territory and possession and after a great burst by Jack Cantelo and a series of forward drives, Ben Tibbetts darted over, with Max Craven adding the conversion.
Lions continued their pressure in the second half with tries by Devon Constant and Oli Taylor, with Young adding a conversion to take the score to 33-7.
Again Bourns managed to create a bit of pressure and after a catch and drive was illegally pulled down short of the line, the referee saw fit to award a penalty try.
That was as good as it got for the visitors as Lions ran in four tries in the last fifteen minutes.
Chester Owen went over for a Lions try, quickly followed by Zach Bean picking up a dropped ball by Bournville to score a simple try and Owen adding his second try of the afternoon, with Young adding a conversion.
The afternoon was finished off by Lions ninth try of the game, when Stubbs produced a deft kick through, which he followed up, collecting a fortunate bounce, to score under the posts, with Young adding the conversion.
Another harsh lesson learned as despite periods of superiority, the class of Leicester was too much for Bournville who capitalised on their fine play and mistakes that Bournville made. 3,2,1 for the afternoon.
1; Ben Tibbetts; did well despite not getting the front foot ball and took his try well
2; Sam Herrington; some big carries in the middle of the park and was a constant menace for the Lions defence
3 and star man; Jamie Harding; another assured display from the hooker who toiled hard throughout the day and looked to lead from the front.
