Bournemouth v London Welsh

In a gritty encounter under overcast skies, the Bournemouth Lions squared off against London Welsh at Chapel Gate in a match that promised physicality and intensity. The blustery wind and occasional showers added an extra layer of challenge to both teams as they battled for supremacy on the field.

The Lions started on the front foot, with Vincent coolly fielding the London Welsh kick-off. A few phases later, a well-executed clearance kick by Fitch set the tone for the Lions’ territorial advantage. A disciplined approach paid dividends when an early penalty was converted by Hancox, putting the Lions ahead 3-0.

The ensuing kick-off exchanges showcased a kicking duel until Hancox’s misjudged kick gifted Welsh a lineout. The Lions, however, turned the tables with a forward pass leading to a scrum and Hancox’s defensive prowess denying Welsh an easy passage.

The Welsh, relentless in their pursuit, dominated the scrum and secured a penalty, opting for another scrum. With a powerful shove, they capitalized on their advantage, crossing the try line and converting to take a 7-3 lead.

Misfortune struck for the Lions at the restart, failing to secure possession. Welsh seized the opportunity, running the ball into Lions territory before a crucial knock-on. The Lions regrouped, securing the lineout and executing a strategic clearance.

Welsh, undeterred, persisted in their attacking endeavours. Progressing into the Lions’ 22, a penalty for holding on offered a temporary respite for the home team. The kick, failing to find touch, initiated a sequence of plays with Welsh pushing forward, only to be halted by staunch Lions defence.

Fitch’s attempted steal was penalized, leading to a Welsh kick to touch. Despite moments of Lions resistance, Welsh maintained momentum, earning a scrum inside the Lions’ 22. After a series of resets, Welsh capitalized on a strong scrum, scoring their second try and converting to extend their lead to 14-3.

The Lions, displaying resilience, sought to retaliate. Unfortunate at the restart, they allowed Welsh to regain possession, initiating another attacking phase. A penalty in Lions’ favour, however, saw Hancox narrowing the gap to 14-6.

The pendulum swung as Hancox’s clearance kick found an unintended target, leading to a Welsh counter. A subsequent penalty, though, allowed the Lions to regain territory. Pressure from the home side forced Welsh into errors, with Higgins nearly capitalizing before a knock-on halted the Lions’ charge.

The introduction of Alan Manning injected vigour into the Lions’ scrum. A dominant set-piece paved the way for Hogan and Morrell to make crucial inroads. The ball found its way to McCaffrey, who powered over for the Lions’ first try, converted by Hancox, making it 13-14 at halftime.

The Lions faltered at the restart, gifting possession to Welsh. Nevertheless, a solid defensive effort inside the 22 held Welsh at bay. A scrum inside their own 22 showcased the Lions’ prowess, with Welsh penalized for dissent. A successful kick to touch was followed by a lost lineout, allowing Welsh to mount another attack.

Just short of the Lions’ 22, a Welsh knock-on brought a brief halt to proceedings. A pause for an injury to the referee added a touch of drama, but the Lions regrouped for a scrum. A well-executed kick into the Welsh 22 and a chase by the Lions created space, only for a knock-on to signal the end of a fiercely contested first half.

As the teams retreated for halftime, the scoreboard read 13-14, with the Lions poised for a second-half resurgence in what promised to be an enthralling battle at Chapel Gate.

The second half kicked off with the Lions restarting against a challenging wind. Welsh, securing the ball, attempted to kick back but overcooked it, sending the ball dead. The Lions, keen to assert their presence, initiated a series of plays, testing the Welsh defence. However, just as Welsh seemed poised for another try, a crucial knock-on brought the play back. The subsequent penalty for Welsh was successfully converted, stretching their lead to 13-17.

Undeterred, the Lions restarted with determination, displaying an intent to battle back. A well-placed kick from Welsh was directly into the hands of Hancox, and the ensuing kick-return resulted in a Welsh knock-on. The Lions, securing a scrum on the Welsh 22, encountered a setback with a knock-on, leading to a Welsh scrum. A Lions penalty followed, allowing Welsh to clear just inside their half.

Welsh, relentless in their pursuit, showcased their attacking prowess, progressing into the Lions’ half. Despite finding room in the middle, the Lions’ rush defence held firm, forcing Welsh into errors. A penalty conceded by Welsh provided an opportunity for the Lions to clear to the 10m line.

The Lions capitalized on the territorial gain, initiating barnstorming runs within the Welsh half. A well-coordinated play resulted in Morrell collecting a kicked ball and powering over for the Lions’ second try. Hancox’s accurate conversion put the Lions in the lead 20-17.

With the rain intensifying and the scoreline finely balanced, both teams sought to gain the upper hand. But it was the Welsh who struck first levelling the scoreline with a penalty in front of the post, 20-20.

Lions aimed to seize control. Welsh, however, had other plans, executing a precise kick deep into the Lions’ half. The subsequent lineout not being straight handed the Lions a scrum, providing a defensive platform just inside their 22.

As Warr fed the scrum, Welsh exerted pressure, but the Lions managed to release the ball. A strategic kick to the halfway line initiated a Welsh counter, highlighting the relentless nature of the contest. The ball traversed the field with limited room, resulting in kicks against the wind. Welsh’s tactical advantage in the kicking game became apparent as they executed a perfectly placed 50:22, only for a lineout that wasn’t straight to give the Lions a scrum inside their own 22.

The Lions, aiming for redemption, encountered difficulties at the lineout, leading to a Welsh scrum. A strong Welsh scrum was rewarded with a penalty, and their subsequent clearance kick brought the game back into the Lions’ half. As Welsh progressed into the Lions’ 22, a maul powered over the try line, extending Welsh’s lead to 25-20.

The Lions, facing a deficit once again, embarked on the restart with a determination to turn the tide. Welsh, securing possession, attempted to power forward with a maul, but the Lions’ defence held firm. Forced to kick, Welsh returned the ball to the Lions, initiating a kick-chase scenario.

A Lions lineout, just short of the Welsh line, presented an opportunity. However, a not-straight call handed Welsh a scrum close to their try line. Welsh’s resilient scrummaging saw them clear the ball to the halfway line. The Lions, running the ball forward, suffered a knock-on, providing Welsh with an attacking scrum.

The chaos continued as the Lions managed to get their hands on the ball, only for a quick turnover. Welsh seized the moment, running the ball into the Lions’ half and, with a clever chip, secured possession. As they moved the ball wide, an overlap on the left allowed Welsh to go over in the corner for another try, making it 30-20. The conversion was missed.

The restart saw Welsh secure possession, opting for a strategic kick to clear their lines. Undeterred, the Lions initiated a determined run, prompting Welsh to concede a penalty. However, the Lions’ attempt to capitalize on the penalty failed as the kick to touch missed its intended mark. A long Welsh kick found touch deep in the Lions’ 22.

The Lions, tasked with securing their own ball, aimed to turn the tide with a kick into Welsh territory. Despite the best efforts of the chasers, a penalty conceded allowed Welsh to relieve the pressure. However, Welsh’s attempt to find touch from the penalty kick went astray, giving the Lions an opportunity to counter. The Lions’ return kick found touch on their own 10m line.

The ensuing lineout, contested fiercely by both sides, provided a platform for the Welsh forwards to assert their dominance. A powerful shove from the Welsh pack resulted in crucial meters gained. The ball was directed towards the left, and as Welsh entered the Lions’ 22, the home side’s defence held firm, preventing the ball from grounding.

Under immense pressure, the Lions found themselves defending from under their own posts. The subsequent kick, however, added to the chaos as it skewed cross-field instead of forward. In the midst of the confusion, a Welsh forward, momentarily disoriented, found himself in front of the posts, allowing the Lions to prevent a certain try.

The referee, signalling for a scrum, reverted to the original knock-on on the right side. The Welsh scrum, a formidable force throughout the match, surged forward, leading to a Lions penalty and eventually culminating in the scrum crossing the try line for another Welsh try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, extending the lead to 35-20.

Attempting to exploit the middle of the field, Welsh moved the ball outwards, creating space as they approached the Lions’ 22. However, a critical knock-on disrupted their progress, resulting in a Lions scrum inside their own 22. The subsequent attempt to pass the ball out the back went awry, but the Lions managed to regain possession. Just as it looked like a turnover, Welsh found themselves penalized, allowing the Lions to relieve pressure with a kick to touch.

The lineout, though, did not go as planned for the Lions. A slight overthrow ended up in the hands of Piran, who found open space, launching a run that took him to the halfway line. The Lions recycled the ball and attempted a comeback. Yet, a robust tackle from Welsh lifted Hancox off his feet, the ball was ripped, and Welsh regained control.

With quick ball and numerical advantage, Welsh found room down the right flank. Despite the Lions’ resilience, Welsh shifted the play to the left, encountering strong defence. As the ball swung back, a small gap emerged, and Welsh exploited it, sprinting under the posts for another try. The conversion added the extra two points, concluding the game with a scoreline of Lions 20, Welsh 42.

The final whistle marked the end of a challenging encounter for the Bournemouth Lions. Despite a spirited performance for the majority of the match, a series of misfortunes in the closing stages allowed Welsh to secure a convincing win. The Lions, now at the bottom of the table with one game left in the current season half, face a crucial period of reflection and preparation for the challenges ahead. As they head into a rest weekend, the Lions will be eager to turn their fortunes around and translate their on-field efforts into positive results in the remaining fixtures.