Weakened Lions go down at Ditchling

The Lions started slowly taking the first quarter to get into their stride, but poor tackling and organisation allowed Ditchling to score two quick tries. The Lions struck back with a chase from the restart that put pressure on the Ditchling receiver and won the ball from the ensuing ruck, and then quick ball and good inter play by the Horsham centres moved the ball infield where the forwards took the ball into Ditchling’s five metre area. Joey Walker took the ball off the ruck and drove for the line to score the Lions first try of the match. For the remainder of the half the Lions continued to give Ditchling problems in the centre, but the opposition were quick to exploit the weak Horsham back line scoring a further three tries. At the 35 minute point Horsham lost James Layzell to injury that saw their one substitute Dan Bourne come on into the centre.

During the half time break the Lions regrouped having identified that Ditchling were struggling to contain them in the centre and that their forwards were starting to show signs of tiring. This change in tactics altered the balance of the game to Horsham’s favour. From the restart Horsham pushed the ball deep into the opposition half and followed up with an excellent chase. Ditchling turned the ball over from a subsequent ruck only to knock the ball on and into contact with Horsham’s forwards. A quick ball taken from the scrum saw Neal Holden take the ball on a blistering break deep into Ditchling’s half. Unfortunately this was to be Holden’s last play of the match, going off with an injury.

Layzell rejoined the match after treatment for an injury sustained in the first half. The Lions continued to apply pressure to Ditchling’s centre by relentless work from their forwards. Ditchling cleared their line and kicked the ball out on the half way but a well worked Lions line out saw Ricky Tobin pluck the ball out of the air and set an outstanding maul by Horsham that drove Ditchling back ten metres into their own half. Walker peeled off the back driving a further five metres only to have Ditchling turn the ball over in the ruck and knock on. This gave Horsham the scrum a quick ball off the scrum to Layzell at fly half who dummied and stepped inside a couple of tacklers making a break deep into Ditchling territory. From the ruck the Lions went through the phases once again influenced by the work of open side flanker Tobin on to Ditchling’s try line forcing the concession of three penalties, each taken by Ollie Barker who drove for the line drawing in defenders. On the third drive the Lions went wide putting Ben Trout over for their second try of the match. This proved to be the turning point for the Lions who up until this point had dominated the half only to lose three players to injury in quick succession after the restart.

The remaining 25 minutes was played with only twelve players, although the Lions continued to attack through the centre and put Ditchling’s forwards under pressure. Ditchling at every opportunity spread the ball wide to their backs, and credit to them as their game was good in the second half, outflanked the Lions to score.

However, the Lions showed tremendous spirit, never giving up and always attacking, playing some of their best rugby when they were down to twelve players.

Lion’s manager Andrew Layzell said, “There were a number of outstanding players. Joey Walker had an outstanding match until he went off with a head injury, as did Sam Rice at outside centre, who went off with concussion early in the second half. Mark Ross and Michel Fisher were outstanding in the forwards, but the man of the match was Ricky Tobin playing in only his second match at open side flanker and was outstanding in every phase of the game.

The disappointment of five players withdrawing at short notice certainly influenced the outcome of the game, but the spirit and courage of the players that took the field was excellent with a lot of positives coming out of the match, a credit to the club. Special mention must go to Kim Platfoot who stepped up at the last moment for the Lions bench but ended up playing the full 80 minutes in the second row, and Dan Bourne who had a strong game at inside centre having just returned from Hong Kong and not played or trained since May”.