The Lions travelled to Orrell for the second week running, this time to play the oft delayed 2nd round cup fixture. Travelling with a side strengthened by the return of Dave Parkinson and Greg Billington the Lions were hoping to avenge their 48-12 loss of the previous week.
Unfortunately Orrell had other ideas and were able to field an even stronger side to the one that ran the Lions ragged the week before .
The Lions kicked off with real purpose and the early exchanges saw some crunching tackles and hard rucking. Unfortunately Orrells running game kicked in early and they were running some great angles which unlocked the Lions defence after just five minutes to run in under the posts for their first score. At this point Richard Ayers left the field with a bad back to be replaced by Ian Pendlebury, making his first Lions appearance of the season. Whilst the Lions were stronger in the set piece, dominating the scrums and Stuart Almond working well in the line out, in the loose the home side were dominant and by half time the Lions were 36-3 down, their only score being a well struck penalty from the boot of Chris Duda.
With two changes at half time, Stuart Ord replacing the battered Ian Walling and Craig replacing Stuart Almond on the flank the Lions came out firing in the second half and upped their work rate and aggression levels considerably. With the pack camped in the Orrell 22 for ten minutes the forwards were battering at the home sides line, with Toby Kenyon being held up on a number of occasions before Jon Outram was able to crash over near the posts, ably assisted by new boy Craig. This score was again converted by Chris Duda.
A few minutes later the home side broke free down the left flank only to be stopped at the line by a crunching tackle from Rob Bell and with Greg Billington in support the ball was slowed right down (its great to see the younger players learning the tricks of the trade) and despite being awarded a penalty the home side were unable to score.
It was looking like the Lions would nil Orrell in the second half but they hadn't reckoned on the home sides inside centre, who had been playing well all day, breaking through the Lions defensive line with a beautiful angle and popping the ball straight out of the tackle to their number eight who scampered under the posts. With one final score just before the final whistle the Lions were left on the wrong side of a 48-10 scoreline. That said the Lions can take heart from a real blood and guts performance which will tear other sides in this league apart. Unfortunately, and yet again, they were undone by an excellent side.
Next week the Lions take on rivals Blackpool in a double header at Hudson Park and are looking to avenge their defeat of earlier on the season.
Squad: I Ayers, I Outram, T Kenyon, T Parkinson, S Almond, M Saxon, G Billington, S Rigby, R Johnston, S Dawson, I Walling, D Parkinson, R Jaques, R Bell, C Duda. Reps: I Pendlebury, S Ord, Craig, R Bettany, T Dainty.
2010-03-06 Miller Homes leagues Div. 5 North
garstang 3rd XV 46 points v 10 points Bolton 4th XV
Going for the burn ............
2010-03-06 Miller Homes Leagues Div. 4 North
Garstang 2nd XV 55 points v 0 points Fleetwood 3rd XV
"Walton the Destroyer"
2010-03-06 Miller Homes Leagues Div. 1
Vale of Lune 2nd XV 42 v 7 Wigan 2nd XV
Vale\'s second XV have to work hard to overcome a spirited Wigan side !!
2010-02-27 Miller Homes Leagues Div. 4 North
Preston Grasshoppers 5th XV 6 v 35 Garstang 2nd XV
Garstang 2nds move to the top !!
2010-02-27 Miller Homes Leagues Div. 3 North
Vale of Lune 3rd XV 36 v 7 Wigan 3rd XV
A fine game after the problems of just two weeks earlier!!
| Home (Preston Grasshoppers 2) |
Away (Fylde 2) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Points | 17 | 8 |
| League Position | 4 | 5 |
