The Lions Roar!

They were in a similar position to the Lions in the league at the start of the day but this was not to last long with Lions coming out 48-8 winners. This by all regards was the Lions best performance of the season so far with both the backs and the forwards coming together to perform as a complete unit.

From the start Eastbourne came out strong with a number of powerful runs up to the Lions try-line till a penalty was conceded by the Lions which the Eastbourne fly-half kicked over for a penalty goal. The Lions replied with a try in the corner by veteran Mark Elliott. The Lions counter attacking and outside backs pace was to prove the difference in the match as they continued to manage breaks from loose kick and good handling from the centres and forwards. In response Eastbourne scored a try through their big inside centre cutting a good line to score a try, but this was last time they were to score again.

The Lions put the pressure back onto the Eastbourne defence with a number of powerful runs by the wingers and the back row to push Eastbourne back to their 22. From this position the Lions worked a good looping move to debutant Josh Mills in for a position where he weaved his way through the defence to score his first try for Horsham. From this try Lions were energised and pushed Eastbourne back into their 22 and caused them to give away a penalty and also have a player sent off. From the resulting penalty Jake Gates stepped up and slotted the penalty goal in front of the post.

In the second half with a number of words said at half time the Lions up the pace and intensity. From the start Lions yet again pushed Eastbourne back into their 22 and forced them to concede yet another kickable penalty which Gates gladly accepted slotting the kick at goal. Form the restart the Lions manage to yet again gain a foothold in the Eastbourne 22 through good passing, powerful runs by the forwards, and good offloading that saw Adam Harman score the next Lions try.

The Lions found themselves yet again in a position to score a try with wing James Layzell going over for a try following good hands by the forwards. From the kick off the ball was retained by the Lions and found its way to Jake Lowe who made a massive 40 metre break to score under the posts. The second half was becoming a half of free running and exciting movements with the Lions backs causing havoc with almost every attack. From one of these attacks tight head prop Al Jones found himself in the unusual position of a clear 10 metre run to the try-line to score, which must have been a rare feat for the prop to find himself in. With the final phase of play the Lions pushed themselves to score again with powerful winger Dan Bourne scoring in the corner from an excellent attacking movement by the Lions to round off the scoring with the team seventh try.

Lions manager Andy Layzell was extremely happy with his team performance; ‘Fantastic performance by the players to show the league that we are still a team not to be ignored. I was pleased to see what I believe was the best performance of the season. My man of the match was Jordan Smith who showed his power in both attack and defence, making dents in Eastbourne in both phases of the game. I also have to praise Josh Mills whose control at scrum half was impressive and Carl Harman had his best game of the season.’
Horsham Lions next game is away against Midhurst who are in second place in the table on the 13th December.

Scorers:
Tries: Elliott, Mills, A. Harman, Layzell, Lowe, Jones, Bourne
Conversions: Gates x4
Penalty goals: Gates x3

1: Liam Brady 2: Jake Lowe 3: Al Jones 4: Carl Harman 5: Joe Green (Captain) 6: Ollie Barker 7: Jordan Smith 8: Ricky Tobin 9: Josh Mills 10: Josh Chalk 11: Dan Bourne 12: Joey Walker 13: Mark Elliott 14: James Layzell 15: Jake Gates
Bench: 16: Sam Rice 17: Adam Harman