Thorne were called on to up their performance after the last few weeks, and didn't they deliver! An emphatic 62-5 victory against Halifax Vandals was the result of the day. Vandals have struggled since their relegation from Yorkshire 2 alongside Thorne last season, but this was no excuse, with a clinical and ruthless performance required from the boys. An early try from Ryan Duke after just 4 minutes set the stall for the rest of the day, with Tom Holt adding the extras, the first 2 points of an impressive 22 personal points haul for the day. Ryan Pilley bagged his usual score, before Shaun Roberts scored the first of his three tries for the afternoon, the first hat-trick of the season for the 1st XV. Late in the first half, Roberts grabbed another with Luke Marsden crashing over just before half time. Not talking their foot off the gas, Marsden crossed again around the 50 minute mark, before two back to back tries for Tom Holt at 55 minutes and 61 minutes took the score line further away from the Vandals. James Fenwick finished off the scoring with the final try of the day shortly after on 64 minutes. The boys were asked to step up their performance after back to back losses on the road, and they replied in roaring fashion. This weekend sees Thorne visit fellow South Yorkshiremen Hemsworth, who currently sit in 8th place, and look more than safe from the drop to Yorkshire 4. Last time out, Thorne ran rampant again, with a 48-15 victory. Braces from Luke Marsden and Tom Holt, topped up with tries from Scott Berry, Shaun Roberts, Ryan Pilley and Martin Moffatt helped seal a big home win for Thorne. However, with their almost guaranteed safety, Hemsworth will be a task for Thorne, who have struggled in recent weeks away from home. Not too far a trip down the M62, a big away presence would help jeer the lads on to another big W, especially with the battle for promotion building up.

An unfortunate result for the 2nd XV this weekend, who had a hard trip to well-drilled Hallamshire at the weekend. Self-diagnosis from the boys state that they ran out of ideas and didn’t play to the conditions against a side who have performed well this season in the Merit League (South). 39-7 was the final result, with a sole try from Andy Evans, taking his personal tally for the season to 16 this season, making him the clubs top try scorer, ahead of Ryan Pilley and Tom Holt in the 1st XV (12). This weekend sees a home tie against Hemsowrth 2, where the Lions will be looking to do the double, after a great team performance culminating in a 21-39 victory, in a high scoring battle, with scores from Cliff Walker, two from Jak Parkes, Dean Brown, Olli Cudworth, Jack Grainger and finished off by Ryan Duke (all extras from Konrad Hanson). Looking at the aforementioned players, it’s clear how integral the 2nd XV are to the club’s success this season, with most of them donning a 1st XV shirt this season, a credit to the performances the Lions are producing on a regular basis. Despite it not being a long trip to see the 1st XV, as always, your continued suppo4rt for the Lions would be much appreciated in what is set to be a great battle down at Coulman Street.

For details on the coach trip to Seaton Carew next weekend, please contact Andy Ellis or behind the bar, seats are going fast!