The Lions fall short To Warlingham

The Metropolitan side made the best of possible starts.Their first score was the result of a tactical error by the Lions who elected to run the ball out of their 22 without support when the obvious option was to kick to touch resulting in them being robbed of ball for the Warlingham left wing Mark Kozminski to score wide out. Warlingham. currently lying third in the table looked a useful all round side with a good scrummaging unit and a backline with speed and good ball handling facility.
After just 10 minutes the home side added a second try when a good movement started down the right flank was spread left for the hooker Dan Street to score wide out .Deal and Betteshanger’s difficulties in getting their defence organised allowed left wing Kozminski to weave his way through several would be tackles to run in under the posts. Fly half Miles Waud adding the conversion.17-0 to Warlingham
The Lions players to catch the eye in the largely rear guard action at this stage were forwards Alistair Chamberlain and Adam Michael and half backs pairing of Josh Erskine and Ollie Best.With ten minutes of the half remaining the visitors secured their first points with a penalty by Ollie Best awarded for handling in a ruck.The remainder of the half which saw the visitors having to live on scraps of possession ended with the home side securing their bonus point try, converted by fly half Waud to give his side a 24-3 lead at the break.
Lions talented No 8 Wesley Bull, who had been carrying a rib injury from the previous game, had to leave the field at half time to be replaced by Joseph Hinkins . The other change was Jamie Guy coming on for Stuart Adcock.
The Lions staged a mini revival in the second half outscoring the home side by 12 points 5. Their first score started with a move down the left, was switched right for fly half Ollie Best to run outside two defenders before sending a long well delivered pass to his brother Dan who crossed in the corner.
The visitors were now competing with more energy at the breakdowns, an area that had proved difficult for them in the first half. They narrowed the gap still further midway through the half with Dan Best grabbing his second try, his brother Ollie converting with a towering kick off the touchline.
With now just nine points separating the sides at 24-15 visiting support were aware that one more score would at least secure them a losing bonus point, but alas the only other score went to the home side with a try by their right wing Jack Atkins. On reflection this was a deserved victory for the home side with the Lions left to rue a sloppy first half performance

Team

S.Adcock, M.Dorling, D.Best, A.Hart, A.Moss, J.Erskine, S.Hanley, M.Curd, L.Hayes, A.Chamberlain, D.Atkinson, J.Harrington, A.Michael, W.Bull.

Subs.

L.Ambrose, J.Hinkins and J.Guy

The Lions have no game this Saturday.The 2nds are away to Cranbrook. The 4ths are at home to Thanet

Reporter Gerald Griffiths