Lions undone by Old Mid-Whitgiftians

But these expectations were soon to be dashed as they suffered a comprehensive defeat by 30 points to 13.
The home side started strongly and had opened up a 10 point lead after twenty minutes through two unconverted tries.The Lions were well in the game at this stage and narrowed the deficit to four points through two penalties kicked by Ollie Best. The home side were winning the battle at the breakdown and quick ball won from this area of play often found the Lions defence poorly aligned leaving them vulnerable to the strong running of the home side centres. Their outside centre exposed this weakness minutes before the break to score after a 40 metre run to the line giving his side a 15-6 lead at the interval.
The home side increased their lead after 15 minutes of the second half with a penalty by their inside centre awarded for handling in the ruck. 18-6 to Old Mid-Whitgiftian.
Prominent for the Lions was skipper Adam Michael who made several penetrating runs but found himself exposed through lack of support runners. Old Mid-Whitgiftians centres posed a continuing threat to the visitors defence with the outside centre making a thrilling 50 metre run through the middle of the Lions defence early in the second half only to be thwarted by a brilliant last ditch tackle by No 8 Joseph Hinkins. The home side increased their lead with a try by their hooker following couple of pick and drives by the pack. 23-6 to Old Mid-Whitgiftian
The Lions narrowed the gap to 10 points with 15 minutes of the game remaining with a move started by the pack down the right flank before being moved left for full back Luke Armstrong to get over wide out. Ollie Best successfully kicking the difficult conversion.23-13 to Old Mid-Whitgiftians
Any Hopes of a Lion revival or even securing a losing bonus point were quickly dashed when the Old Mid-Whitgiftian’s inside centre was allowed to run right through the middle of the Lions defence to score under the posts with his centre partner adding the conversion for a comfortable 30-13 victory, their first of the season.
This Saturday the Lions are at home to Aylesford Bulls.The 2nd’s are away to Aylesford 2nd’s. The 3rd’s are t home to Aylesford 3rd’s and the 4th’s away to Folkestone 4th’s. All Kick Off’s 2.15pm

Reporter Gerald Griffiths