The Lions were full of confidence going into Saturday’s match buoyed by nilling the opposition away at Marlow the previous weekend. Prior to Kick-Off, the Lions were sitting second in the league with Hemel Hemstead in tenth. As a result, the coaches took the opportunity to rest a couple of their key players who had picked up injury niggles in the previous games. However, it was still a relatively strong squad that took to the pitch. It did appear though, that the players had left their playbook in the changing room ! Due to a Tag Festival taking place on the ground, the match was moved to the AGP.
Right from the start, the Lions were on the back foot as Hemel Hempstead dominated the opening stages of the game. Indeed, it was Hemel who got on the scoreboard first in 11 minutes after slotting over a penalty. (0-3). However it was the Lions who went over for the first try of the game with Sam Boundford going over along with the conversion by Tye James (15 mins 7-3). The Lions lead was short-lived with Hemel continuing to exert pressure on the Lions defence and eventually Hemel went over for their first try which was duly converted. (18 mins 7-10). Hemel Hempstead continued to dominate territory and possession and ten minutes later they were reward with another try and conversion (28 mins 7-17). Hemel were rewarded with another penalty a few minutes later after another Lions infringement, which was converted. (31 mins 7-20). The Lions were relieved when the whistle went ten minutes later for half-time.
Half-Time: London Scottish Lions 7 Hemel Hempstead 20
Whatever was said in the Lions changing room at half-time seemed to have the desired effect as the team were galvanised into action at the start of the second half. Mark Bright went over for a try and the score narrowed by five points. (44mins 12-20). The Lions were beginning to find their rhythm and a few minutes later it was Jem Edwards who went over for a try, Tye James again missing the conversion. (49 mins 17-20). The Lions were now within striking distance and it was Ben Molloy’s turn to go over the whitewash along with a successful from Tye James (51 mins 24-20). Nearly quarter of an hour went past with no further score and it was the Lions who were able to consolidate their lead when they were awarded a penalty (64 mins 27-20). With fifteen minutes to go, Hemel weren’t going to give up easily and so it was to prove with a
well-worked move by their 9 and 10 with the try going over near the right touchline. (73 mins 27-27). The last minutes of the game were nail-biting and the Lions thought they were home and dry when Harry Churchill went over on the right following a fine team effort, duly converted by Tye James (76 mins 34-27). Another Hemel infringement at the breakdown led to another Lions penalty converted by Tye James (79 mins 37-27). Surely, that was it, but no ! It was Hemel who had the last say in the game scoring a final converted try in the dying seconds. (80 mins 37-34). As the referee blew his whistle the relief on the faces of the Lions players was palpable. An entertaining game and one which Hemel were happy to walk away with two points with the Lions securing another five.
Final Score: London Scottish Lions 37 Hemel Hempstead 34
Next Game: Lions v Grasshoppers (away), Saturday 9th November, KO 2:30pm
