Leicester Lions vs Harrogate

However, from the restart, a fumble lost them possession which was snapped up by Lions hooker, Oli Taylor for an opportunistic 30 metres converted try.

The Lions backs went into overdrive from the start and full back, Ian Smith sidestepped his way through for a try converted by Elliot Bale. Harrogate responded well and full back, David Doherty ran strongly from deep. He was well supported by Keane Naylor who took the scoring pass to make it 7-5. At this stage, Harrogate were dominating the scrums and also stole 3 successive Lions lines-out. This possession won them 3 unsuccessful penalty opportunities.

The Lions attacked from a defensive turnover and good backs play was again finished by another Smith sidestep and converted try. Harrogate’s forwards continued to dominate but despite several “near things” the Leicester defence held out and it was 14-5 at the break.

The same pattern continued after the break and Naylor was again in support of a backs move to outstrip the defence for a converted try. This made it 14-12 and both sides continued to attack and defend well. 30 metres from the Lions line, Steve Maycock, Harrogate’s replacement hooker took a good offload from short line-out ball but got “white line fever” and knocked on.

A good Lions clearance then bounced well for them and they launched a counter attack. Skilful backs handling put winger Benji Marfo clear for a well taken try and it was 21-12. Then came the match’s final dramas with the Harrogate penalty and the final Lions winning, bonus point try.

Leicester Lions: Smith, Marfo, Benjamin, Boden, Constant, Bale, McFedries, Sio, Taylor, Newton-Taylor, Tapscott, Tuckey, Lewis, Murdoch, Dallavalle. Subs:- Spokes, Hills, Hartwell, Phillips, Nixon.

Harrogate: Doherty, Barnard, Naylor, Minikin, Rosillo, Fox, Matthews, Purkiss-McEndoo, Yorke, Ward, J Brady,
S Brady, J Coser, G Coser, Heaton. Subs:- Reaveley, Maycock, Harvey, Nesbitt, Hebblethwaite.

Referee: Ben Rayner (RFU)

Match report by Bill Barrack