Camped at the Campus

Lions v Percy Park

It was always going to be a hard game for the Lions against a very good Park side. This was not helped by late cry offs and once again players having to play out of position, returning from injury and even playing with injuries. Woodhouse moved to center to allow Sayers to play nine despite an obvious injury still affecting his elbow. Phil Raey had to take the other center shirt, leaving Keenan filling in at full back and Hamer had to return earlier than he wanted to the second row. The game started well enough with Armstrong slotting a penalty straight from the kick off. Then it all went pear shaped with missed tackles and some very good play from Park to see them put on thirty eight points by half time. Most of the players thought we had added to our tally as Hamer bulldozed over but was ruled short despite being at least a foot over the line when the defending players stood up. The front row looked solid enough with Youdale and Cranson looking good value and Dave Raey tackling all around the park. Westall came on for McCabe to join Oliver and Andy Thompson in the back row as Oliver had to move from his preferred position to eight.

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More of the same in the second half with park putting another two scores on the board. Park attacked and Armstrong was adjudged to deliberately knock on and was shown a yellow To bolster the short handed period the evergreen Davies came on with McCabe returning to the fray and Angus taking a front row place despite being ill all week. Davies proved the adage of fitness training being necessary as he plunged into the game with vigor. The lions were fired up by this as Woodhouse switched to ten, Mcabe going outside and Phil Raey moving inside. The following period of play saw Billingham enjoying some decent moves with Youdale carrying well Ash and Watkins at last seeing some ball. Phil had to leave the field having twisted his ankle to add to our woes.The Park defense was well organised however and despite pressing for most of the short bin period we could not add to our score. Armstrong `returned to the field and was stopped just short. Thompson took a knock to the head and Oliver had to return despite limping off earlier. The Lions added one more converted try to their tally as Park ran out winners.
Fitness played a part in this defeat along with some technical and tactical problems. This is by no means a criticism of the players who played injured or ill, out of position or whatever else. No excuses if you are available to train at least one night a week it will benefit you and the team. If you are a Billingham player your aim should be a First Team shirt. However players should also be given the opportunity to prove themselves and the motivation to play up.
So come on Coaches motivate your players and give reports to Chris at selection and come on players get to training and put us back where we should be.
This was not a good weekend for any of our sides Lets turn it round
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