Big rivals Peterborough Lions and Peterborough RUFC don’t agree on much.
By Alan Swann - Peterborough Telegraph
Saturday, 12th Feb KO 1415 hours.
And they are even arguing about which team is favourite to win Saturday’s big city Midlands Division One derby at Bretton Park (2.15pm).

The league table suggests Borough should win as they are six places and 20 points clear of their local rivals.

But history and even current form favour the Lions who have strengthened since the Christmas break and who pushed runaway leaders Bedford Athletic all the way last weekend when Borough were without a fixture.

Lions beat Borough at Fengate earlier this season 21-20 despite suffering two red cards, one in the first-half.

Borough head coach Shane Manning said: “If we are to topple Lions we have to fix the issues we are currently having.

“The fact we have lost to them once this season and are playing them at their ground makes them firm favourites which means we have nothing to lose.

“I’m sure the home supporters will be hostile and I want them to be - the louder the better.

“These are games you really look forward to when your up against it as we are at the moment so the lads need to embrace it and enjoy the occasion. We may not play Lions again for a while due to the league restructure so let’s enjoy it and have a go at them”

Lions chairman Andy Moore said: “Once again the form book and league position would favour them to win, howeverthey have never beaten us as the Lions.

“But as they say, every dog has its day eventually and Borough have been barking for a long time. For the first time it looks like we could have a full squad to pick from!

“We’ve been improving game after game since before Christmas and the players are looking forward it immensely. Whatever the outcome local rugby will be the winner.”

Talented Lions full-back Roko Davui won’t be involved as he has left the club after his visa expired.

MATCH REPORTS FROM BORO

Peterborough RUFC vs Peterborough Lions

Peterborough RUFC faced local rivals Peterborough Lions this past Saturday at Lions’ home ground in Bretton. Lions ran out deserved winners by 18-10 in a game that could have gone either way.

Boro started really well and dominated large parts of the first half, but Lions were more clinical in taking their chances. After two missed penalty kicks from Boro the home-side went on to score a converted try closely followed by a penalty kick for a 10-0 halftime lead.

The second half started as the first with Boro dominating territory. Unfortunately for the Boro side, they couldn't convert pressure into points and Lions scored a fine try against the run of play closely followed by a well taken drop goal to increase Lions’ lead to 18 points to nil. The less experienced Boro side wouldn't give up and increased the tempo of the game even more. Lions’ defence finally wilted and Boro scored two tries to wingers Rob Jacobs and Nic Langton. Lions managed to run the clock down and the game finished 18-20 to Lions.

Peterborough’s Head Coach, Shanne Manning’s comments; "I've been very harsh on the lads during this season regardless of whether we have won or lost but on Saturday I was very proud of the effort they put in. We were missing several first-choice players, but it didn't show. I thought we were the better side, but Lions’ experienced players made the most of their chances. A number of the lads, particularly forwards Doyle Gordon, Robert Moulds, Michael Hall and backs George Offer, Nic Langton and Aram Jones really had strong games. I do hope in future fixtures between us we get a more experienced referee which would be better for both sides. Lions deserved their victory but I'm just glad this fixture is done now so we can focus on the rest of the season. Seven games to go in the season and we want to push up the league as high as we can."

PETERBOROUGH Telegraph report by Swanny

Peterborough Lions complete derby double over Peterborough RUFC

Peterborough Lions completed their derby double over Peterborough RUFC thanks to a clinical first-half display in the big Midlands Division Clash at Bretton Park on Saturday (February 12).
By Alan Swann
Reported on Monday, 14th February 2022, 12:06 pm

It finished 18-10 to Lions who led 15-0 at half-time and 18-0 midway through the second-half. Borough, who were missing several first-team regulars, rallied helped by three yellow cards for the home side, but second-half tries from wingers Rob Jacobs and Nic Langton arrived too late to make Lions sweat.

Borough enjoyed plenty of possession in the first-half, but lacked the composure against an experienced home side to make it count.

Will Carrington’s penalty gave Lions a 3-0 lead before flanker Charles Pendlebury and centre Tom Johnson both crossed or tries. Carrington aded one conversion for a 15-0 half-time lead.

Carrington’s drop goal stretched that lead further early in a second-half that quickly became disjointed by a series of stoppages.

Charles Frankham, Michael Goberwang-Kelly and Weir Filikitonga all spent time in the Lions’ sin bin, but Borough’s second try didn’t arrive until added time.

Lions lost their second row/coach Josh Walker with a familiar leg injury after 10 minutes, which allowed club legend, Marius Andrijauskas to take the field much to the approval of the large home support.

Borough coach Shane Manning said: “I was very proud of the effort the guys put in. We were missing a number of first choice players but it didn’t show. “Lions deserved their victory, but I’m just glad this fixture is done now so we can focus on the rest of the season.”

Lions chairman Andy Moore added; “We kept our composure to control 90% of the game, but to their credit Borough never gave up. It was the knowledge and experience of our players that shone through. We fully expect to be playing Borough again next season. These local derby’s are fantastic !!