A Cruel Ending to a positive display by the Lions.

Having looked at the present League position and having just come to the London & South-East 2 League from London 1, the host Club had expected to have ‘an easy game’ . This was not to be !

The Lions forwards put the Home pack under strain in the set scrums and the rucks and after a good tackle by Gavin Elsam and the subsequent pressure , Ollie Schofield went through for a good try . Regrettably, this try was not converted but the kick narrowly drifted outside the post .

From the restart, Jack Browne, making a welcome return to the side, put a good tactical kick to the Home flank and Luke Armstrong ran strongly down the wing to cross for another try . Again, this was not converted and this was to be a major failing through the match .

The Lions continued to play well, with Alistair Doyle making some good line-out catches together with good scrummaging , the pressure was maintained at this stage . However, there were some good moves spoiled by passes being given too hard at close range and the ball was spilled by the catcher .
On a rare foray deep into the Lions’ territory, Beckenham kicked a penalty .

At half-time the Lions led 10 – 3 .

Soon after the start of the second half, Anthony Hart had to retire with a shoulder injury and Elsam had to change to the wing position as the back line was adjusted .

As the result of some loose play and poor passing, the swift Beckenham right wing went over for a try . The Home side used the following wind to kick to advantage and again after a wayward defensive kick and a dropped ball , The Right Wing again scored a try, which was converted .

However, Adam Michael made a good break through the Beckenham centre and looked set for a try, with Elsam outside him, but a despairing ankle tap from the rear brought him down within a few metres of the try-line and the opportunity was lost .
However, the Lions kept up the pressure and from another break to the right by Michael, the Full-Back Browne took his pass to go over for a try to level the scores . Again, no conversion .
In the last moments of the game, the Lions conceded a penalty chance, which the Beckenham kicker converted to give them the victory .

Injuries during the game to Hart, Browne and Chamberlain did disrupt the pattern of the Lions’ game but it was a cruel irony that having scored three tries to Beckenham’s two, The Lions failed to win an important victory away from Home.

Report by David Storrie