A game played in perfect conditions, the Lions comfortably withheld a spell of early pressure from the home team, who appeared to lack real penetration.

Deal and Betteshanger opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a penalty following an offence at a ruck, Blair Charge converting. The same player, minutes later, doubled the visitors lead with another penalty, when a Dunstonians player was caught going over the top and off his feet at a ruck. The Lions, who after soaking up their brief spell of early pressure from the home team, were taking control of the game. Any concerns the visitors had about young scrum half Kane Mercer were quickly dispelled as he gave an assured performance, playing an orthodox game, moving the ball along the line at every opportunity, giving the opposing back row little chance of disrupting his game and spoiling his debut.

Old Dunstonians spurned an easy opportunity to narrow the lead with their fly half missing a simple penalty. Midway through the half the lions lost their influential No 8 Wes Bull with a blood injury. Joseph Hinkins came on as a replacement. The visitors, who were now clearly op top, with much more attacking skills in their armoury, stretched their lead to thirteen points before the break. A thrust by skipper Adam Michael was halted on the 22. The ball was recycled to the pack who set up a driving maul and after first being halted ten metres short of the line, drove again for Dan Atkinson to score to the right of the posts. Blair Charge adding the conversion. 13-0 to the Lions at the break.

The second period continued in much the same vein as the first with the visitors in control. The home side only able to mount spasmodic raids into the Lions territory without ever threatening the line. The Lions used all three subs in the second half, Joseph Hinkins on for Wade Roberts,Arthur Evans on for Sam Hanley and Sam Cullis on for Matt Michael.These changes did not disrupt the Lions forward supremacy and it was they who initiated the next score. Setting up two driving mauls deep in the red zone, they forced the home pack into conceding three penalties when being driven up to the line. The referees finally losing patience and awarded a penalty try. Blair Charge adding the extra points. 20-0 to the Lions.

With the game into the final ten minutes the home side did manage to break their duck with a well executed try in the corner by their right wing. With time running out the visitors recorded the final score of the game with another penalty by Blair Charge to give him a tally of 13 points.

This was a well merited win by the Lions with everyone contributing with special praise going to wing forward Alistair Chamberlain for some outstanding defence, Wes Bull for his Ball carrying and defence and young Kane Mercer at scrum half for making a very promising debut.
The Lions face a sterner test next Saturday when they play their first home league game of the season against last season’s title challengers Aylesford Bulls. KO 3pm

The Court Yard "Man of the Match" was No 13 Dan Best

Match reporter Gerald Griffith