The Lions 1st XV travelled through central London on Saturday to Regents Park looking to re-establish their credentials as a top three side in the Regional 2 (Thames) League. Their previous outing at home to HAC was with a weakened squad, but arguably they were back at full strength for this clash and they knew it would be a tough encounter. The Lions had brought with them a good travelling support, with great vocal encouragement from their Icelandic Supporters’ Branch who travelled over for the game.
The scene was set, the referee blew his whistle and Belsize Park kicked off into the wind. The first six minutes were evenly poised, and it was already clear that a tight game was in prospect. However, it was the Lions who crossed the whitewash first with Tye James mixing through the Park defence to score out wide. B Park 0 – Lions 5. However, the lead did it last long and six minutes later, Park went over for a well-worked try to restore parity. That really set the tone of the game, ebbing, and flowing both ways. B Park 7 – Lions 5. It was another ten minutes before the next score and it was the Lions who Eddie back in front with Tye James slotting over a penalty after a Park transgression. B Park 7 – Lions 8. The lead didn’t last long. Park went over for another try five minutes later. B. Park 14 – Lions 8. Three minutes before the interval and the Lions edged back closer, Park having given away another penalty which Tye James duly slotted over. B Park 14 – Lions 11. Another Belsize Park transgression and another penalty to the Lions on the cusp of half-time. Could the Lions go in all square at the break ? It was a kick from the halfway line which fell agonisingly short of the bar. Half-Time: Belsize Park 14 – Lions 11. It was going to be a belter of a second half.
And so, it proved. At the start of the second half, the Lions forced another penalty, which Tye James duly converted, and the scores were tied. B Park 14 – Lions 14. The Lions were now on the ascendancy, having brought more vigour to their game. Tye James went over for another try and put another gap in the score. B Park 14 – Lions 19. On 52 minutes, it was another penalty to the Lions, Tye James again converting. B Park 14 – Lions 22. Could the Lions maintain the gap ? Yes, they could ….. as they stormed towards to the try line, the Park defence gave way, conceding penalty after penalty and the referee had had enough. Penalty try to the Lions, which came out of a dominant pack going for the line and tempting Park to commit too early. The Park 9, Charlie Gowling (an ex London Scot) took the yellow card for fouling in the red zone. Surely it was now the Lions’ opportunity to turn the screw. The Lions fluffed their lines and allowed Park back in the game from the kick-off. The ball was fumbled in defence and ultimately resulted in a try for Park, duly converted. B Park 24 – Lions 29. The next ten minutes were nail-biting as the clock started to run down. However, four minutes from time, it was the Lions who had the final say. Tye James went over yet again close to the posts and converted. Final score: Belsize Park 24 – Lions 1st XV 36.
A remarkable and very important win away from home. 29 points scored by Tye James, the additional 7 coming from a penalty try. A huge contribution to the team effort, but the whole squad, to a man contributed to this great victory.
