The Lions Put In a Great Performance Against A Strong Sevenoaks

It was well-controlled by a very young Kent referee and it entertained an enthusiastic and sizeable crowd . The Home side was strengthened by the return on holiday from university of Alex Waldron and Michael Rowarth . These skilful young players injected speed of thought and action and the whole team played well !

Despite the preceding wet weather, the pitch held-up well and so good rugby was possible . Sevenoaks, who are top of the League, attacked strongly but the Lions backs tackled well and the game went end to end . Eventually, the Visitors broke through in the centre and their big, strong back scored . It was converted .

However, the Lions attacked strongly in reply and Mitch Halpin went over from a scrum drive . Then Henry Evans kicked a good penalty and the Lions went ahead . This was further enhanced by another penalty before the Visitors broke through for a second converted try .
After Half-time, the Lions contested and tackled hard and this ‘paid-off’ with a splendid threequarter movement for Matt Ward on the right wing to speed round the defence to score a good try ! Evans converted .

There followed more well-contested action and Sevenoaks broke away for another converted try .
Not to be outdone, Waldron broke through in the centre, kicked tactically and won the race to touch-down for another Home try .
The game resumed with intensity and the Home crowd waited with bated breath as Sevenoaks missed two kickeable penalties and thus followed a narrow Home win .

This was a much-needed win against a good side , which was an antidote to the poor game against Dover 2nds prior to the Christmas break . The side was a good mix of youth and experience , and Nick Tweed’s presence in the Pack was a worthy benefit .
The tackling by the whole team was so much better than it has been ( which pleased this correspondent greatly !!! ) , the off-loading and passing improved and those players who have been attending regular training showed the worth of that effort . The young players are maturing and are being given the chance to advance their game . This is good for the future and shows the route for progress for our local talent .

Report By

David Storrie