STRONG START FROM THE LIONS IN OPENING FIXTURE

In the first of two games at Coolhurst on Saturday the Lions took on Chichester 2s in their first game of the season. Positions are still very much up for grabs, so this was a chance both for the coaching staff to look at combinations and for players to stake their claim to a shirt.

Horsham started strongly against the visitors, putting good pressure on them in defence and refusing to be intimidated. Unfortunately after just ten minutes Tony Parsons was forced off with a shoulder injury, having just made his return after missing most of last season. A quick re-shuffle saw the Lions take the fight back to Chichester, and quick hands in the backs sent Ryan O'Gorman up the wing only to be tackled just short of the line. A hamstring strain meant that was his final contribution, and the Lions re-organised again.

After conceding a couple of scores to the visitors Horsham started to pile on the pressure, and eventually fullback James Whiting went over to score on his first appearance in a Horsham shirt for a good few years.

Changes were made at half time and it was back into the thick of it. As with their first team Chichester have some strong ball carriers who are able to break first-up tackles, and with players running good supporting lines they wer able to break through the stubborn Horsham defence. As a result they were able to pull away in the second half, with Horsham eventually running out of defenders.

Despite the scoreline this was a good performance from the Lions, and every player put their hand up to be counted. Playing sides from a higher league is always a good indicator of where a team is, and today the Lions showed that they are well on the way.

TEAM
1. Joe Freeman 2. Iain Fisher 3. Tom Emson 4. Tony Parsons 5. Joe Green 6. Mark Ross 7. Seth Wise 8. Greg Holt 9. Josh Chalk 10. Mark Elliott 11. Ryan O'Gorman 12. Jonny Ordidge 13. Chris Wood 14. Ali McAloon 15. James Whiting

16. Dan Stephens 17. Tim Wills 18. Ian Gray 19. Richard Billings 20. Doug Wright 21. James Layzell