South take the win against local rivals

South thoroughly earned an early Christmas present of 4 points in a match where astute play and doggedness played significant parts in this win. A first ever league game with South's neighbours produced a pulsating match which seemed to go on for ever as the referee added extra time, the well lunched spectators were anxiously looking at their watches as South dug in and kept the Lions at bay. Play ebbed and flowed with neither side giving up territory easily. Lions opened the scoring with a Williams penalty, this was followed by some fierce and unremitting exchanges finished off by a Rickie Aley penalty after Chris Bale had run at the opposition forcing them to commit tacklers and to concede the penalty
Rickie Aley was also instrumental in the next score with his kick to the right wing defeating all except the tenacious Blane Howe who reached the ball first as it rolled over the line to touch down for an unconverted try
The Lions hit straight back as Constant followed up the restart collecting the ball resulting in sustained pressure on Souths line forcing a penalty, the visitors decided to scrum, which paid dividends with Collingham picking up at the base to go over to level the score.
Aley's penalty put the home side back in the lead but soon after South were caught dawdling after a long kick bounced towards their line and Veebel pounced for a try converted by Williams to put the visitors back in front, Just on HT Aley reduced the arrears to 15-16
Aley added another penalty after the break as South's pack led by the front row trio of McNaughton, Ager and Peck were giving the opposition some problems, this led to replacement scrum half Jacob Nash capitalising on the scrums dominance by crossing for a try, Aley added the extra's
The Lions were giving as good as they were getting and only a Gaz Kerr tackle prevented the visitors winger from racing clear.
It was the Lions who now looked to exert pressure in the scrum and following a series of scrum penalties on South' s line they were awarded a penalty try
South were still in the game as Rickie Aley struck another penalty which he followed with an accurate kick to the wing caught by Blane Howe for an unconverted try
As time seem to stand still the referee eventually blew his whistle to give South the win against our neighbours who were never out of the game making the win valuable not only for the points but also for the performance.

Report Mick McNeill