Lions 9 - 41 Aston OE

After the mauling at the hands of table topping Old H's, the Lions travelled to second placed Aston Old Eds.

After an early exchange of kicking Aston moved the ball across the back line. At the breakdown the Lions were penalised for offside and Aston kicked the resulting penalty to make the score 3- 0. The Lions strung together some good phases of play to move towards the Aston line. The Aston backs were caught offside and Adam Smith kicking the penalty to make it 3 -3. Aston continued to spread the play and the Lions defence looked shaky. Eventually the ball was passed across the Aston backline to create a try .Once again Stour rucked efficiently and worked towards Aston line where Paul Meakin was brought down a couple of metres short. However, the Lions were awarded a penalty to make it 8 - 6. From the restart a ruck was formed - the Aston No8 broke two tackles to score under the posts - 15 - 6. Minutes later from a Lions 22 metre drop out, the ball was kicked directly into touch to give scrum back on the 22. From this, the Aston No8 picked up, fed the scrum half who made a break before passing to the winger who went over in the corner. The game continued with a series of rucking exchanges from which Aston spun the ball along the back line only for the winger to be bundled into touch. A defensive scrummage was awarded to the Lions following the lineout which was lost against the head, allowing Aston take full advantage and score near the posts to make the score 27 - 6 at half time.

The second half began with early pressure from the Lions. However the ball was lost and Aston cleared their line. They moved menacingly towards the Lions line but two metres from the line they were penalised for not releasing. Stour cleared and moved toward Aston's line. A series of penalties ensued with Lions eventually electing to take the points to make it 27 - 9. A misplaced Lions kick allowed the Aston fullback to collect the ball and, with the help of some missed tackles, to break into the Stour 22 before slipping the ball to the fly half who scored near the posts.. Aston continued to exert pressure and put some good phases together. However, they are penalised for not releasing and Stour once again relieved the pressure. Lions were then penalised for an infringement in the lineout. Aston took a quick penalty, moved the ball swiftly across pitch to create a ruck from which they went over for the last score of the game

Aston deserved their win but were somewhat flattered by the score as at least three tries were the result of missed tackles. Nice to see Jonesy back in action.