Batley 20-10 Lions at a cold Mount this aft.
The pitch, whist heavy-ish, wasn't too bad, and despite the recent horrendous weather, the conditions were prob a little better than at 'Haven a fortnight ago.
The score was just about a fair reflection, as all points were scored going down the slope.
They were twice (deservedly) down to twelve, but still led 20-0 at oranges (or was it Bovrils today?) with the game-breaker coming as the hooter sounder, when they posted a six pointer despite being a man short.
We won the second half 10-0, but unfortunately for us, the damage had already been done in the opening forty.
We hit the Wembley trail next week, when we host Leigh Miners in the Cup, and their coach was there today on a spying mission, but whether he learned anything, is open to debate!
Spelly.
Hi Spelly,
I was just looking at this weekends fixtures and your cup game against Leigh Miners is set for 3pm Ko on Saturday and, on the same day Sale KO v. Birmingham Moseley at 2pm.
How is that going to work?
Chewers
Hi Spelly, I was just looking at this weekends fixtures and your cup game against Leigh Miners is set for 3pm Ko on Saturday and, on the same day Sale KO v. Birmingham Moseley at 2pm. How is that going to work? Chewers
They were due to play Brum last Saturday, and it was postponed, so we're ok for Saturday, but.........
It's lashing down here in Monton at present, so the chances of the sun cracking the flags in Sale 48 hours hence, is not great to say the least.
The pitch resembled a lake when the Dews league game was called off a fortnight ago, and we've had plenty of rain since.
I'm not optimistic about the cup-tie being played on the due date, but as ever being a Lion, hope springs eternal!
Oh for a surface that you mob enjoy!
Spelly.
Ok thanks Spelly.
BBC website still showing Sale v Birmingham this Saturday as well as Lions v Leigh Miners
Following a pitch inspection, our game with the Miners is on!
Let's hope there's cup upset for us!
Spelly.
Lions 56-0 Miners this afternoon, and a potential banana skin more than comfortably avoided.
The pitch was in better nick than I expected, and looked greener than it did in the Wire friendly a few weeks ago.
The visitors never gave up, and it's always pleasing to nil your opponents, but in all honesty, they never looked like scoring.
Eleven tries in all, with Mickey Butt helping himself to a four-timer.
The Miners' cousins in the town, the Centurions, come a-calling next week, and I've no doubt that Duffy's Disciples will prove much sterner opposition than did Rowlands' Rabble today.
Spelly.
Oh yes, I forgot to mention it, but a double up today for yours truly, with the Pinks picking up another silver medal!
Spelly.
Following a pitch inspection, our game with the Miners is on! Let’s hope there’s cup upset for us! Spelly.
Just noticed my faux pas - There should be the word "no" in between "there's" and "cup" in my post!
Ooooooooooooooops!
Spelly.
Our game tomorrow with Leythers has been called off, meaning that's two fixtures we're already behind with!
It had been dry here all day, but started raining again about half an hour ago.
So next up for us is a trip to POR tomorrow week, to play Fev.
Spelly.
Fev 35-24 Lions this aft, and nowt but praise for my mob!
We got away to a dream start, led 12-0, and we dared to dream of a win against a team with genuine SL ambitions, but we couldn't quite pull it off.
One incident went on report early in the second half where Mickey Butt appeared to be "taken out" long after the ball had gone. Jack Smith put up the "crossed arms" sign, and no pen was given. I missed it myself, as I was following the ball, but I spoke to Butty after the game, and his reply was "Defo red card!" We'll have to see what the disciplinary people make of it.
Hugely encouraged by the effort and commitment we showed throughout from 1-17 today, and if we can put in a similar performance at your gaff next week, we can pull off a win!
See you in Leggie's!
Spelly.
I'd planned to use our game with you mob as walk day, but obviously the world has changed vastly since.
I've said on other threads that I reckon the RFL will pull the plug on fixtures as early as today, so...........
Please stay tuned for any updates.
Thank you!
Spelly.
Spelly took this from a Widnes heritage site.
Swinton v Widnes, 1962/63. After the freeze and as Swinton replaced Widnes at the top of the table. According to the caption the Widnes players are (apart from the obvious) Winstanley, Bright and Bate.
I'm just off camera on that pic. The stand was known as "The Barn" and I was stood behind the goals. Happy days!
Spelly.
I would think the players on the ground are Ronnie Bate and Jimmy Bright and Brian Winstanley standing.
The CC game I can recall from that era was the 1st round game away to St Helens in 1961. Saints were red hot favourites but struggled in a mud bath of a pitch in a televised game. Saint scored first, but Widnes equalised to force an unexpected 5-5 draw. I always thought that it was Winstanley who scored the try, sliding over the line in the mud, but on checking it was Billy Thompson.
The replay really gripped the town and a crowd of over 24,000 packed into Naughton Park for the replay on a sweltering Thursday afternoon. Even Bill Bonney at Wade Deacon allowed pupils to leave early to go to the game. Saints showed their class in the replay, with Murphy having a stormer, and went on to win 29-10. Great memories, although I never saw a great deal of the game (just about managed to see the players' heads), but the atmosphere was electric as I recall.
The classic cup games against Swinton came in 1964 in the quarter finals. Drawing 5-5 in the first game at Widnes and then 0-0 in the replay at Swinton. My brother always said that this was the best game of rugby he had ever seen, with Frank Collier seeing off the Swinton forwards on his own!! Widnes went on to beat Swinton 15-3 at Central Park and, of course, went on to win the final.
The Lions have won summat!
The Swinton '62 shirt won the online voting World Cup of Kits comp run by the RFL.
We beat Pies, Fulham, and FC, on the way to the final, and even overcame the iconic GB shirt in the decider!
Perhaps an indicator to the club for what we'll be wearing come 2021?
Spelly.