The games opened with the visitors applying early pressure and were rewarded with a try in the 6th minute. The inside centre finding space on halfway sliced through a normally well organised defence before feeding his centre partner to score under the posts. Converted by the fly half. 7-0 to Heathfield and Waldron.
After this early lapse the Lions gradually recovered their composure and being under pressure in the first quarter, began to impose their game on the visitors. The home side had to wait to the 35th minute before getting on level terms. After the pack began a period of continuous pressure inside the visitors 22, through a series of driving mauls, they finally got their reward when Wesley Bull was driven over under the posts. Blair Charge converting to tie the scores 7 all at the break.
The Lions support did not have long to wait in the second half to see their side move ahead. A midfield move saw the ball move to Nathan Mitford on the right wing who charged through the first defender and outside the last to get over in the corner. Blair Charge scoring the difficult conversion.14-7 to the Lions
The back row of Matthew Michael, Andy Agar and Wesley Bull were instrumental in the Lions success due to their ball carrying, dominance at the breakdown and tackling, ensuring the Lions a plentiful share of possession.
The visitors main attacking threat came from their inside centre who proved a tricky runner with a good turn of speed needing constant attention. The Lions defence, which had got off to a shaky start, were now back to their best. Well marshalled and uncompromising in the tackle area giving their opponents little opportunity to threaten their line. The home side used two subs in the second half .Joseph Hinkins coming on for the excellent Matthew Michael and Kane Mercer who replacing Dan Best moved to full back with Luke Armstrong moving into the centre.
Most of Heathfield and Waldron’s pressure was confined to the midfield with them allowed very little opportunity to put pressure on the Lions line. Although unable to pose any real threat on the Lions line in the second half, Healthfied and Waldron were themselves strong in defence, several times stopping some well executed driving mauls just inches from their line. With the game entering the final ten minutes the homeside put the game to bed. Following good work by the pack through a driving maul the ball was released and moved left to Luke Armstrong who burst over to score just inside the corner flag. The final minutes saw the homeside strive for a fourth try that would give them a vital bonus point, but in the end had to be content with the four points for a win.
The Court Yard Man of the Match was awarded to Ashley Hollingworth. The Lions will be happy with their good start to the season whilst knowing that there are stiff challenges lying ahead in what looks to be a very competitive league.

Reporter Gerald Griffith