After a strong showing at the Grasshoppers pre-season mini tournament on August 10th, where the Lions emerged as the top team (W3, D1, L0) and claimed some silverware, we headed to Winchester RFC with high hopes for our second of three pre-season games. This match had added significance, as it marked a reunion with our former captain, Angus Adamson, who now plays for Winchester. Unfortunately, the Lions couldn’t replicate the victory from three years ago when the two sides locked horns in a pre-season friendly. This time, we went down 57-17 to a well-prepared and sharp Winchester side. Whereas it was clear this was a warmup game for the Lions, with some rustiness being shaken off in the shape of some uncharacteristic mistakes from players, Winchester looked extremely sharp from the first whistle to the last – it looked like a mid-season performance from a very settled team from them. Despite being competitive and scoring in all three thirds with players rotating throughout, some unfortunately to injury, we couldn’t match their power and precision across the field – from what we faced at the weekend we expect them to do very well in their league this season.
A big thanks to Winchester RFC for hosting us both on and off the field, it’s always a pleasure travelling to their club. It’s currently one win each, so we look forward to round 3 whenever that may be!
Next up for the Lions is their third and final pre-season game away against Reeds Weybridge on Saturday 31st August; following that their league kicks off away at Aylesbury on Saturday 7th September.
