MATCH REPORT: Fox the hero as Lions keep superb run going

Darren Fox scores the first Lions try against Sheffield. Picture: Mick Sutterby

The Bretton-based side were away at National League Division Three title-chasers Sheffield and pulled off a fine 24-14 victory to complete a notable double over the Yorkshire outfit.

Star of the show was player/coach Darren Fox and his chairman Andy Moore was first to heap praise on his most valuable acquisition.

“It was Foxy’s day without a doubt today,” said Moore. “He certainly led by example. He marshals everything up front so well. He does a lot of talking and he also provides plenty of action too.

Tom Lewis scores the second Lions try against Sheffield. Picture: Mick Sutterby

“And he instills so much confidence in everybody around him. He’s a true winner and to top it off he scored two of our three tries.

“It’s amazing how far we’ve come as a club. To think we were playing at level 10 nine or 10 years ago and then to watch today’s performance at a club that has so much history is quite remarkable. It makes everything worthwhile.

“If it wasn’t for a shaky start to the season we would be in danger of becoming a National League Two side. We’re beating all the best teams at this level at the moment. It’s a magnificent run and if we keep it up to the end of the season who knows where we’ll end up.”

The Lions remain in fifth place in the table - now just a point behind Sheffield and third-placed Buirmingham.

Chris Humphrey leads his triumphant Lions team off the Sheffield pitch. Picture: Mick Sutterby

It was actually Sheffield who took the lead on eight minutes with a penalty but the visitors hit back almost immediately with their first try. They won a lineout 22 metres out and from the rolling maul Fox broke off and powered his way over for Will Carrington to convert.

Another Sheffield penalty made it 7-6 to Lions and then that became 14-6 when Tom Lewis smashed his way over the line, again from a rolling maul formed at a lineout.

Sheffield scored their only try, which was unconverted, just before the half-time whistle.

Early in the second half another Sheffield penalty levelled it up at 14-14 and there was little to choose between the sides for the next 15 minutes.  But the Lions claimed victory with a strong finish. First Carrington banged over a penalty and then, despite having prop Ben Howard in the sin-bin, the Lions grabbed a third try.

Again it was Fox charging through for the touchdown and Carrington’s conversion made it 24-14,

“They had the better of the set pieces but we beat them up in the rucks and mauls,” added Moore.