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Sat 28 Jan 2017 · London 2 South East
1st XVOld Colfeians
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The Lions Put Up A Good Fight Against Old Colfeians
Steve Castle1 Mar 2017 - 16:54
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Gregor Dougall says Deal and Betteshanger’s performance against promotion-chasing Old Colfeians proved that the players remain committed to the cause
.A penalty 10 minutes from time gave the visitors a deserved London 2 South East victory at the Drill Field but Lions interim coach Dougall says he could not have asked for any more from his players.
Dougall, taking charge for the first time since Dave Wiggins’ resignation last month, said: “As a group we were all delighted with the performance. The guys were outstanding.
“Old Colfeians came out flying but our guys stood their ground, anything in a blue shirt went on the ground.
“It was backs-to-the-wall stuff and what it showed is that the players still have the passion for the club and their side.”
After weathering that early onslaught from Colfes, Lions opened the scoring on the half hour when Luke Armstrong went over for a try converted by Matt Halpin.
A penalty, followed by a converted try, edged Colfes 10-7 in front but three points from the boot of Halpin levelled matters before the visitors kicked the decisive penalty.
Lions took a losing bonus point – something Dougall admitted he hadn’t reckoned on before the game – and he said the key now for his players is to reproduce Saturday’s form on a consistent basis.
He added: “It was a great game and the team who deserved to win, won.
“They had far more possession, they attacked more than we did but when we did attack, we attacked
well.
“It was definitely a huge stepping stone towards us staying in the division. We have winnable games left, the key though is to reproduce this type of performance.”
The Lions – who remain in the bottom three – have been plagued by injuries all season but against Colfes they were buoyed by the return of No.8 Joseph Hinkins, after the lip injury he sustained before Christmas.
Experienced prop Arthur Evans was also back in the fold after a lengthy absence while the club have recruited scrum-half Kim Frost and flanker Harry Murley from Kent 1 Snowdown.
Frost started on Saturday while Murley came off the bench to play in the back row and Dougall added: “We had a big crowd and there was real buzz in the clubhouse afterwards.”
Dougall, taking charge for the first time since Dave Wiggins’ resignation last month, said: “As a group we were all delighted with the performance. The guys were outstanding.
“Old Colfeians came out flying but our guys stood their ground, anything in a blue shirt went on the ground.
“It was backs-to-the-wall stuff and what it showed is that the players still have the passion for the club and their side.”
After weathering that early onslaught from Colfes, Lions opened the scoring on the half hour when Luke Armstrong went over for a try converted by Matt Halpin.
A penalty, followed by a converted try, edged Colfes 10-7 in front but three points from the boot of Halpin levelled matters before the visitors kicked the decisive penalty.
Lions took a losing bonus point – something Dougall admitted he hadn’t reckoned on before the game – and he said the key now for his players is to reproduce Saturday’s form on a consistent basis.
He added: “It was a great game and the team who deserved to win, won.
“They had far more possession, they attacked more than we did but when we did attack, we attacked
well.
“It was definitely a huge stepping stone towards us staying in the division. We have winnable games left, the key though is to reproduce this type of performance.”
The Lions – who remain in the bottom three – have been plagued by injuries all season but against Colfes they were buoyed by the return of No.8 Joseph Hinkins, after the lip injury he sustained before Christmas.
Experienced prop Arthur Evans was also back in the fold after a lengthy absence while the club have recruited scrum-half Kim Frost and flanker Harry Murley from Kent 1 Snowdown.
Frost started on Saturday while Murley came off the bench to play in the back row and Dougall added: “We had a big crowd and there was real buzz in the clubhouse afterwards.”
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