Peterborough Lions overcame a physical Market Bosworth team in a high scoring affair where tackling was optional. The individual skill of a few made the difference, as a flat Lions team sneaked by 45-38, in an entertaining clash.
The game started at a quick pace as Lions looked to attack and eventually Bosworth gave away a penalty on their 10m line. The ball struck the post and rebounded out to Max Guseinov, who was quickest to react and touchdown. The conversion was missed. It wasn’t long though before Bosworth struck back, through some lacklustre defence from Lions, the conversion was kicked to take the lead 7-5 early on. Lions looked dangerous every time they had the ball with Robb Shingles now on the wing causing havoc at regular occasions.
It was Rob that set up the second try, making a 40m break down the left touch line before offloading to JC Sagoe to run in unopposed. Steenberg kicked the conversion to take a 12-7 lead. It wasn’t long before Lions were back in the opponents 22 and Alan O’Connor made the break for Dan Page to go over. Lions were now looking to take control, but Bosworth fought back on the stroke of half time. Lions unable to secure their own scrum ball, saw several phases through the forwards, but sharp hands saw them cross on half time under the post to get back in the game 19-14.
It was Bosworth that started the 2nd half stronger though. The number 8 in particular, making ground every time he got the ball and it was soon 19 all. Lions knew that they had to up their game if they wanted to win. It wasn’t long though before Lions were back in the lead through Mantautas, as he beat several defenders on the way to scoring. Lions looked to have the game in the bag, when prop Manny Van Niekerk showed a good turn of foot to sprint in from 30metres and take the score to 33-19. Lions shot themselves in the foot though. From an attacking scrum on half way, the ball was intercepted and again, Bosworth were back in the game at 33-24. In the back and forth nature of the game, it was Lions to score next through No8 Saad Sait, who turned the ball over and ran in. Steenberg converted. It wasn’t long before Bosworth scored again through their forward power.
Lions scored the try of the match though, when attacking from deep inside their half, Guseinov threw a perfect 20m pass off his weak hand to Mantautas, who showed pace and footwork to run in from 50m. The game was finally decided at 45-31 but it was Market Bosworth who had the last say scoring in the corner and an excellent touchline conversion to seal 2 deserved bonus points. Final score 45 -38. Lions know they must up their game if they want to stay at the top of the league.
Peterborough Lions 35 – Peterborough 13
Peterborough Lions went to the top of Midlands 1 East on Saturday and also can temporarily lay claim to being the best Peterborough based rugby side, with an emphatic 35-13 win over fierce rivals Peterborough.
The game started in a frantic fashion, with errors and penalties common place. It wasn’t long before Peterborough fly half, Duncan Low had the opportunity to take the lead, but the kick was missed. This stung the Lions into life and from a left side scrum in the Peterborough half, the ball was played to Gedis Marcisauskas, who drew 2 defenders before feeding JC Sagoe to score in the corner. Jaco Steenberg kicked the conversion for a 7-0 lead. Penalties were becoming a problem and it wasn’t long before captain Saad Sait was yellow carded for team offences.
Lions though, played resolutely and created more scoring opportunities and through Steenberg, who looked in the mood today, extended their lead to 13-0. Lion continued to apply the pressure and after multiple phases of play deep in the 22, the defence finally gave way for Chris Humphrey to score between the posts. Steenberg converted and Lions looked strong going into half time at 20-0.
It was Peterborough though that started the better in the second half. First fly half Duncan Low kicking a penalty after another ruck offence. Then after several phases of pressure in the Lions 22, full back Jonny Beall cut the defensive line and scored by the posts. With the conversion making it 20-10 it was game on. With the first bit of real possession in the half Lions gained, a penalty from former player Pete Kolakowski being penalised for a high shot.
23-10 up Lions again shot themselves in the foot conceding another kickable penalty soon after and it was 23-13. They compounded this error, by, in the same passage of play, Chris Humphrey being yellow carded for a late tackle and prop Tom Laws being red carded for punching. With 16 minutes to go and all momentum in Peterborough’s favour, it looked like it was backs to the wall time. It was Lions though that responded best. Firstly No8 Sait made a 40m break down the middle and gave the scoring pass to Marcisaukas to out muscle the last defender and score in the corner. The conversion was missed but the result decided. There was still time though for the bonus point score after another strong break from Sait from a 22 drop out, it was Laurent Ross who took a quick tap penalty to score under the sticks. It was Steenberg that converted to take the score to 35-12 and cap a fine personal display.
The result take Lions to the top of Midlands 1 East after Ilkeston failed to get a bonus point. Saad Sait said after the match ‘We are over the moon with the result and the attitude shown today. We performed when it really mattered. To get such a big crowd is a plus point and it shows a real interest in local rugby. It was a massive and successful day for the club.’