RUGBY: Big wins for the Lions and Borough but Oundle miss out on Twickenham trip

There were tries galore for the Lions and Borough this afternoon (April 9) as they enjoyed huge wins in the English Clubs Championship but there was disappointment for Oundle in their big game in the RFU Senior Vase.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Apr 2016, 17:37 BST
Updated 9th Apr 2016, 19:27 BST
Sam Crooks crosses for the first Lions try at Lichfield. Picture: Mick SutterbySam Crooks crosses for the first Lions try at Lichfield. Picture: Mick Sutterby
Sam Crooks crosses for the first Lions try at Lichfield. Picture: Mick Sutterby

The Lions won 50-35 at Lichfield in National League Division Three, Borough battered Midlands Division Two East basement boys Biggleswade 59-5 away, and Oundle were 31-21 losers against West Leeds in the semi-final of the Vase at Occupation Road.

The lead changed hands several times at Lichfield in a game of open, running rugby between two sides with little to play for.

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Lions chairman Andy Moore described it as ‘a game of ping-pong’.

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Conor Gracey attacks for the Lions against Lichfield. Picture: Mick SutterbyConor Gracey attacks for the Lions against Lichfield. Picture: Mick Sutterby
Conor Gracey attacks for the Lions against Lichfield. Picture: Mick Sutterby

He said: “It was an absolute joy to watch with fast flowing rugby the order of the day. There wasn’t one penalty kicked all afternoon and everyone enjoyed it.

“They were 21-17 ahead at half-time after a fairly even first half but we really turned it on in the last quarter. We tightened up our defence and ran in three tries to emerge worthy winners.”

Sam Crooks, Adam Barnard and Kaz Henderson crossed for tries in the first half for the Lions with Will Carrington converting one of them, and in the second half there were touchdowns for Conor Crown, Chris Humphrey, Artur Balcunius, George Offer and Crooks again. Carrington added four more conversions.

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Over at Biggleswade, Borough actually went 5-0 down before starting their try-feast.

Sam Crooks on his way to the try-line for the Lions. Picture: Mick SutterbySam Crooks on his way to the try-line for the Lions. Picture: Mick Sutterby
Sam Crooks on his way to the try-line for the Lions. Picture: Mick Sutterby

Chris Sansby got it going with a lovely try after good work by Zak McClure and then centre Adam Kimber stormed over twice. Harry Roe converted all three to make it 21-5 to Borough at the turnaround.

In the second half it was one-way traffic with man-of-the-match Stuart Day in outstanding form for the visitors.

He set up a second try for Sansby and five more tries were added at regular intervals. They came from Tom Williams, John Thompson, Joe Andresen, Blake Heron and Stefan Gallucci with Roe adding four more conversions.

Related topics:RugbyTwickenham