Round 11 Hemel Stags vs East Lancs Lions:


HEMEL STAGS 68 EAST LANCASHIRE LIONS 16 – Pennine Way

Hemel kept hot on the heels of the Buffaloes with a 12-try victory over the Lions but they did not have things all their own way, especially in the first half.

Showing invention to keep the ball going through the hands, the Stags had two hat trick heroes, powerful second rower Jamie Acton and Marcus Rose, who has just returned from Afghanistan and came off the bench to post a genuine seven minute treble, late on.

There was nothing between the sides in the opening half hour, although the hosts began impressively, posting the opening tries inside eight minutes.

Loose forward John Weber was on the end of a fine inside pass to open the scoring in the fifth minute and Barry John Swindells dummied and stepped his way over soon after.

A 60 metre interception on the re-start by James Muir put Easts on the board and back in contention, Rob Kershaw converting.

The visitors then enjoyed their best spell, concerted possession bringing them three penalties, for offside and two high tackles, all converted by full back Daniel Birkett to give them a 12-10 lead.

Acton’s first power-charge and a second Swindells conversion edged Hemel back in front, Swindells and Acton both crossing again in the closing stages of the half to give a slightly flattering 26-12 score line at the interval.

Whatever was said at half time by their staff invigorated the Stags and they dominated the second forty.

Big Joseph Compton-Meyer came off the bench for his trademark unstoppable charge from close in to open the scoring after the break but the Lions, as befitted their resilience, hit back when the ball passed through four pairs of hands for Simon Middlehurst to go over out wide for an unconverted try.

Hemel hooker Alex Brown, who directed his troops superbly, was rewarded with a try on the hour, junking through from second receiver before Rose took over.

Showing immense strength and determination, he stormed in for his first, brushed aside defenders for his second and reached over despite the attentions of three tacklers, for his third.

Brown crowned a fine individual display with his second touchdown just before the whistle, another great solo effort, this time from 20 metres out.

Tries:
Goals:
Hemel Man of the Match:
Lions Man of the Match:
Hemels Payers Player Award:
Half time:
Referee: