The Lions Hold out for vital Win

Thankfully It was a very happy pride of Lions that returned to Deal on Saturday night with the narrowest margins of victory and four precious league points that lifts them to fourth from bottom of the league.
The visitors made the best of possible starts opening up a seven point lead after just eight minutes of play. Winning a penalty the Lions kicked into the corner and winning the resulting lineout formed a driving maul for scrum half and Lions skipper Adam Michael to burst over and run around to score under the posts. Ollie Best adding the conversion. 7-0 to the Lions
The Lions were having much the better of the early exchanges and could have added to their lead following a powerful run by Nathan Mitford into the 22 but with no support runners on hand he was tackled and a scoring chance went begging. From midway through the half Tunbridge Wells play improved. Their pack having the nudge on the Lions at scrum time and their general play improving making for an evenly contested game. The Lions spurned a good opportunity to increase their lead after being awarded a penalty in front of the posts but for once the ever reliable boot of Ollie Best misfired leaving the Lions with a seven point cushion going into the second half.
The Lions who had struggled at scrum time earlier in the game had sorted out their problems and turned this area of play into an advantage. The other area of play being the line outs was very evenly contested with both sides winning their own ball, Wesley bull in command on the Lions throw. The Lions had the first opportunity to put points of the board in the second period but another simple penalty chance went begging. Tension began to mount midway through the half when Tunbridge Wells full back Killian Spain kicked a penalty leaving the game poised on a knife edge.
Both lines were threatened in the last quarter with try scoring chances, on a few occasions, being squandered through lack of composure. The final ten minutes proved agony for the Lions travelling supporters as they saw the lead reduced to a single point with a second penalty kicked by Tunbridge Wells full back Spain.7-6 to the Lions
The new found steely resolve in the Lions outfit saw them cling on for a well deserved and what could prove to be a vital victory in their fight against relegation
There were number of outstanding performances in an all round team effort, none more so than Man of the Match Skipper Adam Michael who proved an inspiration to his side.
This Saturday the Lions welcome third place Brighton to the Drill Field. The Club urge all their supporters to come along and get behind the team in their fight to avoid relegation. The 2nd’s are away to Ashford. The 3rd’s away to Edenbridge and the 4th’s at home to Maidstone. All Kick Off’s 2.30 pm.

Reporter Gerald Griffith