HAVANT V Bournemouth

The match kicked off on Havant’s 4G pitch, with Lions setting the pace. Havant managed to secure possession after a series of plays and opted for a clearing kick, attempting to gain some ground.

The Lions retaliated fiercely, advancing with the ball in hand, and their efforts paid off as Havant conceded a penalty. A kick to touch should have set the stage for a promising attack, but an overthrow handed possession back to Havant. A quick steal by Hancox on the wing prevented Havant from capitalising.

The match saw its first scrum as the game continued at a brisk pace. The Lions showcased improved strength in the scrum, a notable improvement from previous weeks. However, Havant took charge, orchestrating an attack that ultimately resulted in a penalty kick to the corner.

Havant secured the ball near the Lions’ line, but despite conceding a penalty, they were unable to make the most of their advantage. A penalty in front of the posts gave Havant a 3-0 lead.

From the kick-off, Havant regained possession and executed a clearing kick, putting the Lions on the back foot. With ball in hand, a high tackle on Taylor prompted a Lions kick to the corner. Despite securing the ball, a forward pass led to a scrum in Havant’s favour.

As Havant looked to move the ball out, a slight fumble saw the ball go forward, resulting in a Lions scrum. A penalty at the scrum prompted a kick to touch, gaining valuable ground for the Lions. Havant pressed forward, reaching the Lions’ 22, but a turnover saw the Lions regain control. A box kick kept the ball in play, and Taylor’s quick thinking allowed him to break free. Despite a scramble by Havant, a penalty was conceded, and Hancox’s successful kick levelled the score at 3-3.

A box kick to clear from the kick-off aimed to clear the Lions’ lines, and Havant secured the ball. With a well-executed play across the line, Havant found a gap and scored under the posts, taking the lead to 10-3.

The Lions were inches away from winning the ball from the kick-off, but a slight knock-on allowed Havant to regain possession. Despite Havant’s advantage in the scrum, the Lions demonstrated superior play. They secured an early turnover, executing a cross-field kick, but a knock-on by the winger ended the attack. The subsequent Lions lineout was deemed not straight, granting Havant possession.

As the first half drew to a close, Havant continued to apply pressure, resulting in two more tries and extending their lead to 29-6.

Despite the scoreline, the Lions showed promise with improved scrummaging. Lineouts, however, require a slight adjustment. With continued effort, the Lions had the potential to turn the game in their favour.

The second half of this thrilling encounter commenced with Havant kicking off, aiming to clear their lines. Slowly but steadily, they advanced down the centre, but the Lions conceded a penalty, giving Havant an early attacking opportunity.

Havant’s persistence paid off as they initiated a rolling maul that seemed stagnant, yet their attack remained relentless. This effort culminated in an early try, though the subsequent conversion attempt fell short, leaving the score at 33-9 in Havant’s favour.

Following the kick-off, the Lions found themselves on the back foot, with Morrell narrowly missing out on securing the ball. However, an offside infringement by Havant provided the Lions with a chance to regain possession. Unfortunately, their lineout woes persisted, gifting the ball back to Havant.

A scrum ensued, with Havant emerging victorious, but they faced immense pressure, eventually managing to clear their lines. The Lions launched a counterattack, but a loose ball saw Havant with a chance to kick forward, although it ultimately went out of play. The Lions took advantage of the ensuing lineout, showing improvement. Morrell then unleashed a burst of speed, covering half the pitch with support, leading to the Lions’ first try of the match. While Hancox’s conversion attempt went astray, it marked a positive turn of events for the Lions, closing the gap to 41-14.

With the ball back in play, Hancox’s kick was fielded by Havant, who attempted to advance. However, a handling error led to a turnover, giving the Lions a scrum inside their own half. The scrum proved challenging, resulting in the Lions losing possession. Havant swiftly capitalized, pushing the ball all the way to the Lions’ line and securing another try, extending their lead to 48-14.

Havant chose to run the ball from the kick-off, making significant progress into the Lions’ territory. A subsequent knock-on granted the Lions a scrum, but it was a chaotic affair. Havant ultimately won a penalty and chose to kick for touch, setting up an attacking opportunity. The ensuing lineout saw Havant make a mistake, giving the ball back to the Lions. Kimber emerged with the ball, executing a clearance kick, but Havant quickly regrouped.

The relentless pressure exerted by Havant paid off, resulting in another try that brought the scoreline to 55-14. The pace of Havant’s attack was unrelenting, as they quickly resumed the offensive. Despite an injury to Jack Palmer, play continued, leading to Havant scoring once more in the corner, pushing the scoreline to 62-14.

In the closing stages of the match, Louis Allum replaced the injured Jack Palmer. Havant attempted to clear their lines with a kick, but it fell short. Havant won a penalty as the Lions were deemed to have brought a player down. A lineout in the Lions’ 22 followed, but Havant emerged with the ball.

Havant’s dynamic play continued, demonstrating exceptional control all over the field. They executed a powerful drive, ultimately finding room along the line to secure yet another try, solidifying their lead at 69-14.

A brief pause in play occurred as Hogan received treatment for an injury. Havant gained possession following a lineout just inside their own half, but a determined Kimber won a penalty, providing some respite for the Lions. Unfortunately, the subsequent kick fell short, leading to a Havant scrum.

Havant worked the ball down to the Lions’ 22, but conceded a penalty. A failure to find touch allowed Havant to launch an attack, but another penalty was conceded at the halfway mark. The Lions pushed forward, but players went down all over the pitch, resulting in a pause in play and a penalty for the Lions inside their own half.

The Lions won the lineout after the kick to touch, and a well-executed kick behind Havant’s lines forced them to chase the ball. Morrell secured the ball but was left isolated, fortunately retaining possession. In the end, a scrum was awarded to the Lions in their own end.

The ball emerged in the Lions’ possession, setting up a fantastic play down the wing. It showcased some of the best handling seen all game, propelling the Lions toward Havant’s line. Unfortunately, a crucial fumble saw the referee blow the final whistle.

The match concluded with a final scoreline of 69-14 in favour of Havant.

The first half showcased the determination and potential of the young, inexperienced team. They held their ground and created opportunities that could have easily narrowed the gap. As the second half unfolded, Havant’s experienced players exploited the relative inexperience of the Lions, capitalising on their opportunities and running in a series of tries. It’s clear that with time and more match experience, this Lions team has great potential to become a formidable force. The Lions scrummaging improved this week with the introduction of Robert Heath shoring up one of the Lions vulnerabilities. Line outs are still problematic but when they did find the spot the Lions were able to capitalise which lead to the only try.

The Lions exhibited admirable resilience and flashes of brilliance, proving that they have the talent and drive to make a mark in future games. Additionally, the return of players from injury will undoubtedly bolster the team’s depth and overall performance. With continued dedication and the right support, the Lions have a bright future ahead.