Incredible Defensive Display By The Lions

.All the points in Saturday’s first round tie came in the first half, with Deal/Bettes resisting everything their hosts could throw at them in the second 40 minutes at Dulwich.
Head coach Wiggins said the 17-strong squad deserved a medal for the way they defended particularly given that several of the side were playing out of position.
He explained: “We were only able to travel with two replacements, but the boys were incredible.
“It really was an outstanding display built around dogged defence, commitment, team spirit and a sheer will to win.
“I was just so pleased for them, they worked so hard and I think the performance will do wonders for their self-belief. They were absolutely outstanding.”
Deal/Bettes had pipped Alleynians 15-14 at home in the league a fortnight before, and they were ahead inside five minutes as skipper Adam Michael went over for a try that went unconverted.
Juan Bautista Vila kicked a penalty and then, in the closing minutes of the half, ran in a long-range try after a quickly taken lineout from inside the Deal 22.
A Gareth Wynne penalty was all Alleyians could muster in reply and there was to be no more scoring after the break as both sides held firm.
Wiggins said his side were significantly outweighed in the pack, but didn’t give an inch, despite some late pressure from the home side.
He said skipper Adam Michael and his brother Joe made more tackles than most adding: “We played some really good rugby in the second half, some of the attacking play and offloading was excellent but to be fair Alleynians also defended well.”
Deal resume their London 2 South East campaign on Saturday when they host second-placed Beckenham at the Drill Field (3pm).
Wiggins added: “It’s always tight with us and them, but if we defend like we did on Saturday then they’ll find it very difficult to score against us.”