And the 30-3 win over Bugbrooke at the East Of England Showground was doubly sweet seeing as the Leicestershire side tamed the Lions 93-3 in the first game of the season.

"They arrived with an enormous pack expecting to shove us off the park again, but it never happened," said Moore.

"This time our forwards dug their heels in and we matched them all the way. And then when it came to back play we were different class.

"Some of the moves we put together were pure magic _ scissors, dummies, the lot. It was a joy to watch."

Winger Rob Vitas scored his first try for the Lions, the centre pairing of Jacques Vorster and Chris Sheldon also crossed and Leon van Niekirk marked his return from injury with a fourth try.

Luke Richardson was the pick of the Lions pack closely followed by prop Nico Steenkamp and the second row pairing of Colin Thompson and Rich Parsons.

"We have two games left against two sides above us – Bedford Swifts and Aylestone St James. We must win them both to stand a chance of promotion," said Moore. "We're on fire now. It's just such a shame we lost some silly games earlier in the season."

The Lions are still awaiting the outcome of an appeal they have lodged with the league after losing the two points they were originally awarded for an 18-17 victory at Stockwood Park.

Park objected to the result claiming the Lions won the match on an uncontested scrum, and the league secretary made it a 0-0 result and gave the two points to Stockwood instead.

"I don't know what's going to happen," said Moore, "but it looks as though it will certainly have a bearing on the promotion and relegation issues.

"If we could get those two points back and then win our last two games we'd definitely go up."





SPALDING slammed Sleaford 36-6 in Midlands East Division Three (North) to almost certainly clinch runners-up spot behind Mansfield.

Scrum-half Harry Sharman was a constant threat to the Sleaford defence and he helped set up the first try for back row forward Graeme Carter.

Ben William then bagged a pair either side of the interval and there were also second-half touchdowns for Chris Breslin, Adam McHugh and Rhys Gosling.

Fine performances came from young Luke Scotney and, making his first start, Henry Gale, in the second row.





YOUNGSTER Archie Stead made a sparkling debut for the Oundle first team in their Midlands East Division Five (South) match at Stoneygate.

He formed a formidable back row alongside fellow debutant Charlie Davies and colt Sam Matcham, and scored two belting second-half tries in a 25-11 win.

Elsewhere there was some powerful midfield tackling from David Rowe and Paul Phillips, while nippy scrum-half Josh Cutteridge, another colt, marshalled the forwards well and scored the opening try.





DUNCAN Stuart's blistering pace guided Oundle seconds to a 31-14 win over Wellingborough OG seconds.

The speedy young winger crossed for four tries with fellow colt Tom Gillett putting the seal on a polished senior debut at full-back with the fifth Oundle touchdown.

Stuart has now scored 22 tries from 20 starts.

Veteran centre Iain Burkinshaw had an excellent game while prop Peter Croot was yellow carded for dissent.





Westwood demolished a plucky Olney side who arrived late and with no front row 44-0.

Man-of-the-match was Trevor Frisby with other good showings by Chris Hook and Stu Scott.





BOROUGH extra thirds won 31-28 against a youthful Bedford Queens second string thanks to a last-minute try by Andy McGeown.

The other tries came from centres Phil Clarke (2) and Oz Merrygold and flying winger Matt Harvey.





Deepings Under 10s' long unbeaten run came to an abrupt end on Sunday as they suffered home defeats to sides from Stamford and Oadby.

Stamford's superior organisation and passing proved too much in two games as they won the first 20-0 and the second 25-0.

Two tries from Matthew Lindley and strong performances from Adam Organ, David Thomas, Anthony Thomas and Alistair Jones put them in with a shout against the Oadby team but they were pipped by three tries to two.