Lions outgunned as Tynedale step up
By Coventry Telegraph
March 4 2008
RUGBY LIONS succumbed somewhat meekly to a Tynedale side whose victory ensured their promotion to National Division Two. "We were beaten by the better team," said coach Mark Ellis. "I was disappointed how we played in the second half when we had the wind advantage.
"Before the break we were making too many errors but had otherwise controlled the game and slowed down play. But in the second half we got sucked into playing the wrong game instead of utilising the wind."
Tynedale were 8-0 up before Lions had possession outside their own half through Phil Belgian's penalty and Peter South-ern's try.
The second try for Rob Miller, from a missed tackle, was immediately followed by a careless knock on allowing Jack Smales to score. Belgian's conversions left Lions 22-0 down at the break, but the wind looked worth that alone.
However, while Lions had spells of possession in the opposition half after the break, their error count was far too high.
They also allowed two Michael Young tries on 51 and 59 minutes to seal their fate.
Late on, No.8 Shaun Brady broke from a drive and forced his way over to at least put Lions on the scoreboard.
Rugby Lions: Hawken; Murphy, Clarke, Viggers, Hales; Glackin (Turner 58), Rust; Greenbury, Overton (Price h-t), Siveter, Cheney, Riding (Wati 70), Nash, Prosser-Shaw, Brady.