South Leicester v Leicester Lions

Just before Christmas, Wigston in Leicestershire played host to a fantastic game of rugby between two local National 2 North sides.
Leicester Lions, wearing Scimitar for the first season, made the 15 minute trip from Blaby to Welford Road, in a game that had more importance for the safety of both sides than either would have liked.
After a disastrous start to the campaign, form has improved drastically for the Lions. This includes a 17-0 shutout of the current league leaders Hull Ionians.
In the reverse fixture back in September, South Leicester had squeezed a 24-21 victory with the last play of the game. It’s safe to say the Lions were after revenge!
The game had it all.
By the seven minute mark, South Leicester had two tries to their name and had established a 14-0 lead. Harry Key, having earlier been booked for a technical infringement, converted a penalty to bring the Lions back into it.
South Leicester’s explosive start wasn’t to stop there. With just 19 minutes on the clock, a clever drive led to a third try of the first half, and a 21-3 lead.
Halfway through the first half, it’s starting to look precarious for the Lions. The next score has to be theirs.
On the half-hour mark, Leicester Lions took the ball over for a try that lifted spirits, and the score, to 21-10.
A 37th minute penalty and a last gasp try brought the score to an unlikely 21-20 at half time. Choice words must have been shared in the dressing room, as the Lions came out for the second half roaring.
Five minutes in, a second try for Wilcockson gave them the lead for the first time at 21-25.
By the 66th minute, the Leicester Lions had scored a further two tries to edge the score out to 21-37. A consolation try for South Leicester brought the score back to 28-37 and threatened a close end to the game. It would prove to be too little too late, however.
FT Score: South Leicester RFC 28-37 Leicester Lions. This Pride of Lions would be the Pride of Leicester on this occasion.
That’s three wins out of the last five for the Lions, as they open up a ten point buffer to the relegation zone.
It may be too late to challenge, but all the signs are pointing towards a strong 2019-20 season for the Lions. For more information on the National 1, National 2 North & South leagues, visit NCA Rugby by clicking here.