'˜Makeshift' Lions demolish thebasement boys with 10-try blitz

Kaz Henderson scores one of his two tries against Sutton Coldfield. Picture: Mick Sutterby

After a run of three defeats in National League Division Three, the Lions bounced back to smash bottom club Sutton Coldfield 60-28.

They scored 10 tries and leading the way with a hat-trick was prop Ben Howerd.

Kaz Henderson, who had a fine game on the wing, went over twice and the other five tries came from Pete Kolakowski, Chris Humphrey, Tom Lewis, Will Carrington and George Offer.

Lions skipper Chris Humphrey on the attack against Sutton Coldfield. Picture: Mick Sutterby

It was Offer’s first try for the club on his full debut since making the move from Borough last month.

Lions achieved the big victory despite losing Vernon Horne after just 10 minutes with a back injury and Adam Barnard in the second half with concussion.

They were also hit by some late call-offs - Marius Andrijauskas and Harry Winch because of injury and Conor Gracey because of flu - so it was a pleasing result for head coach Darren Fox, who was himself forced to make a rare appearance in the second row.

“It was a little bit of a makeshift side so to run in 10 tries was a good effort. And some of those tries were very good,” said Fox.

“I must admit though it was disappointing to concede three tries late on but I suppose the game was well won by then.

“No, overall I was pleased. Let’s just hope we can keep it going on Saturday when we entertain Birmingham (3pm).

“After losing narrowly to Scunthorpe in our last game at home it’ll be nice to get back to winning ways with a good performance for our supporters.

“But it’ll be tough. Birmingham are an established club who have played in the Championship and in League One and they’ve been picking up some good results since we won 22-17 at their place in November.”

Several players will undergo fitness tests at training tonight (Thursday) while Cambridge pair Kolakowski and Josh Waller have had their loan deals extended.

EXTRA INCENTIVE

According to some mischievous sources in the Lions’ den at Bretton Park, a mix-up in the Sutton Coldfield matchday programme inspired the Lions to run in 10 tries.

They were mistaken for Peterborough Rugby Club by the programme editor, who included Borough’s emblem and a piece on the Fengate club’s history on the ‘meet the opposition’ page.

DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

The Lions are creating a new position of director of rugby at the club and are expecting to make an announcement about the appointment early next week.