Lions Win at Park

The Lions 1st XV made the trip to South London for the first away game of the season against Charlton Park.
Park are always a tough fixture and were licking their wounds following a 45/5 defeat away to the in form Dartfordians. Chatting to their Chairman before the game he said that Park XV they were fielding was significantly stronger than that fielded against Dartfordians.
Dave Rose & yours truly were delighted to see the blue and yellow bouncy castle erected as part of Parks Community Day, which we took to be a good omen. Consequently, there was a decent sized crowd of supporters of all ages.
Deal were on the scoreboard within five minutes following a charge down by Lions Captain Sam Hanley off loaded to Ollie Best who went under the sticks, and he kicked the extra’s (0-7). Four minutes later Ollie crossed the whitewash again this time down the left wing unfortunately he missed the conversion (0-12).
Not to be out done Park came back with a quick ball out to their backs after sucking the lions in who blasted down the pitch with there right wing going over for the points. Fortunately, their kicker was having a bad day at the office and missed the conversion (5-12).
3 minutes later a similar move again put the winger in, having stood up full back Matt Halpin, who otherwise had a very good game, missing very few tackles and carrying well. Again, the extras were missed. (10-12)
After the frenetic first 15, the match settled down with the Lions slowly gaining ascendancy in the scrums and Marcus Nelson & Nathan Siddens disrupting Parks lineout. The referee awarded numerous penalties to both sides for high tackles and offsides, some of which were debatable, but without the man with the whistle there would be no game and overall, he was even handed, and the boys considered him to be one of the better referees.
At 36 minutes Matt Halpin, showing great strength breaking through numerous to score in the corner. Extras again converted by Ollie Best (10-19).
3 minutes later Park infringed, and Ollie kicked the 3 (10-22).
By now we were into stoppage time and the Lions tails were up quickly gathering the kick and attacking Parks 22 were the gave away another penalty duly kicked by Ollie (10-25) at the half.
4 minutes into the second half the Lions caught Parks defence napping and Ollie went over for his third try which he duly converted. (10-32).
At 48 minutes Park scored a third try this time converted (17-32) Park then infringed a gain with Ollie kicking the resultant penalty (17-35)
Park then ran in two tries in quick succession one of which was converted – Final score 29 -35
A game of two halves Lions winning the first half and Park the second. Although I must say that one of the Park tries a quick tap in front of goal was never kicked rather picked up and out of the referees sight and charged over. However, it rugby. The Lions thoroughly enjoyed their bonus point win against a well drilled Park side who showed their resilience coming back from a 20-point deficient to gain both try and loosing bonus points. Deal now sit 6th in the league with Ollie best top point and try scorer in the league.