The Lions Form Improves With a Win

The game itself was one which saw the Lions dominate both territory and possession without being fully able to reap the rewards in terms of points their supremacy should have brought.
The first period saw the visitors rarely able to escape their own half. The Lions were unable to deliver the killer pass which, in promising positions , robbed them the chance of building a commanding lead. The visitors defence should also take some credit for keeping their line intact. The first twenty minutes saw the Lions spurn the opportunity of early points, missing three eminently kickable penalties. The first score for the home side saw Nathan Mitford in his first game back from injury finish off a good three quarter move with a try in the right corner. 5-0 to the Lions.
The Lions for all their dominance saw their lead cut to just two points before the break with Tunbridge Wells fly half slotting a penalty from in front of posts awarded for not releasing in the tackle. The first twenty minutes of the second half followed the pattern of the first half with the Lions in command without being able to grow the score. The Lions scrum is maturing is maturing into a formidable unit out muscling their opponents as they have done on several occasions this season. The front row of Ashley Hollingworth, Matt Curd and Sam Hanley , overpowering their opposite numbers.
With the home side having just a two point lead midway through the second half there was a fear amongst home support that history might be repeated and victory snatched from their side in the dying minutes as happened in their last home league game against Old Dunstonians. But On this occasion their fears were to be unfounded as their side gradually pulled away from Tunbridge Wells, first Olie Best found his normal accuracy and slotted a difficult penalty.He quickly followed this with another for offside at a ruck to put his side two scores ahead.11-3
The Lions were now totally in command with the pack orchestrating driving mauls which several times had their opponents in disarray, indeed it was from one such drive that they were able to put the game to bed. Winning ball deep in the visitors 22 down in the left corner they drove to within eight metres of the line for Lions excellent No 8 Wes Bull to pick up and scatter three defenders to score in the corner. 16-3 to the Lions.
Continuing Lions pressure saw them add a further three points through the boot of Ollie Best who kicked another penalty to make the final score 19-3 to the Lions and the all important Four League points . Victory for the home side mean’t they swapped places with Tunbridge Wells moving to third from bottom with 10 points, the visitors dropping to second from bottom with 9 points leaving Old Mid Whitgiftians bottom with just 3 points.
This was a good solid performance by the home side whose only regret will be that thay did not go on to secure another important league point by scoring another two tries, which their dominance deserved. Player coach Lee Ambrose who came on for the final twelve minutes will be pleased with the overall performance especially the scrummaging of the pack.
This coming Saturday the Lions have a difficult away game to Brighton, The 2nds are at home to Ashford, The 3rds are at home to Edenbridge. All Kick Offs 2.30 pm

Reporter Gerald Griffiths