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Sat 14 Oct 2023 · Counties 1 Kent
Ashford
1st XV
14
26
Tries: G Elsam, J Clifton (2)Conversions: O BestPenalties: O Best (3)Yellow Carded: G Bailey, E Leigh
Penalties Galore
luke armstrong18 Oct 2023 - 12:53
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Lions secure win a
Saturday saw the Lions away to Ashford on what was a cold but sunny day and the pitch looked decent. The home supporters were out in numbers and very vocal following a well-supported “Lunch”.
The first 30 minutes were littered with penalties for offside, high tackles, and infringements at the scrum etc. Consequently, although the Lions had most of the territory, making numerous incursions to the home sides 22 they failed to capitalise on the opportunities afforded.
Ashford made two visits to the Lions 22 in the same period, but sterling defence produced turn over ruck ball which was quickly cleared.
The Lions opened the scoring at the 34th minute mark with a penalty from Ollie Best. (0-3)
The match continued in the same vein until 42 minutes when George Bailey was sent for a 10-minute rest after being penalised for a high tackle.
In the 48th minute Ashford were awarded a lineout on the lions 5 metre line and were caught napping at the front and Ashford crossed the whitewash and secured the extra’s. The ref called the half at 50 minutes with Ashford 7-3 up.
Eliot Leigh on his Lions debut entered the fray at the beginning of the half only to be carded for an obvious high tackle (through exuberance) within a minute leaving the Lions with 13 men on the park.
5 minutes later Marcus Nelson, who had been significantly disrupting the home sides lineout was injured winning a penalty in the Lions 22 and Harrison Hinkins entered the fray.
Lions by now clearly had the edge in the contact particularly in the scrum, consequently Ashford, began to accumulate numerous penalties. At the 60-minute mark the Lions turned over the Ashford ball in their 22, setting up a maul and driving across the line with Gavin Elsam, who had an excellent game, touching down. Unfortunately, the extras were missed. (7-8)
5 minutes later Ashford conceded another penalty with Ollie Best duly kicking the 3 (7-11)
Shortly thereafter Ashford were deemed to have tackled high and lost a player to the bin. Ollie Best kicked the 3 (7-14)
On the 71st minute a lapse in the Lions defence let Ashford across the line for a try under the posts whish was duly converted. (14 -14)
A minute later a nice move by the Lions put Joe Clifton into the corner, unfortunately the extras went begging. (14-19)
A minute later Ashford lost a second player to the bin (prior to the Ashford return kick). The lions quickly gathered the ball from the kick off and worked their way steadily towards the Ashford goal. When Ollie Best kicked through and Joe Clifton speeding through to touch down on the 80th. With the extras secured. Final score14- 26 denying Ashford a losing bonus point.
Apart from the last 20 minutes this was dull game of rugby. Ashford were not good, but the Lions did not play as well as they have previously shown despite their early dominance. However, a win is a win and the Lions showed great character in the back 20 with strong tackling, great support play and crisp handling, demonstrating they can challenge any side in the league.
The first 30 minutes were littered with penalties for offside, high tackles, and infringements at the scrum etc. Consequently, although the Lions had most of the territory, making numerous incursions to the home sides 22 they failed to capitalise on the opportunities afforded.
Ashford made two visits to the Lions 22 in the same period, but sterling defence produced turn over ruck ball which was quickly cleared.
The Lions opened the scoring at the 34th minute mark with a penalty from Ollie Best. (0-3)
The match continued in the same vein until 42 minutes when George Bailey was sent for a 10-minute rest after being penalised for a high tackle.
In the 48th minute Ashford were awarded a lineout on the lions 5 metre line and were caught napping at the front and Ashford crossed the whitewash and secured the extra’s. The ref called the half at 50 minutes with Ashford 7-3 up.
Eliot Leigh on his Lions debut entered the fray at the beginning of the half only to be carded for an obvious high tackle (through exuberance) within a minute leaving the Lions with 13 men on the park.
5 minutes later Marcus Nelson, who had been significantly disrupting the home sides lineout was injured winning a penalty in the Lions 22 and Harrison Hinkins entered the fray.
Lions by now clearly had the edge in the contact particularly in the scrum, consequently Ashford, began to accumulate numerous penalties. At the 60-minute mark the Lions turned over the Ashford ball in their 22, setting up a maul and driving across the line with Gavin Elsam, who had an excellent game, touching down. Unfortunately, the extras were missed. (7-8)
5 minutes later Ashford conceded another penalty with Ollie Best duly kicking the 3 (7-11)
Shortly thereafter Ashford were deemed to have tackled high and lost a player to the bin. Ollie Best kicked the 3 (7-14)
On the 71st minute a lapse in the Lions defence let Ashford across the line for a try under the posts whish was duly converted. (14 -14)
A minute later a nice move by the Lions put Joe Clifton into the corner, unfortunately the extras went begging. (14-19)
A minute later Ashford lost a second player to the bin (prior to the Ashford return kick). The lions quickly gathered the ball from the kick off and worked their way steadily towards the Ashford goal. When Ollie Best kicked through and Joe Clifton speeding through to touch down on the 80th. With the extras secured. Final score14- 26 denying Ashford a losing bonus point.
Apart from the last 20 minutes this was dull game of rugby. Ashford were not good, but the Lions did not play as well as they have previously shown despite their early dominance. However, a win is a win and the Lions showed great character in the back 20 with strong tackling, great support play and crisp handling, demonstrating they can challenge any side in the league.
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