Just back from a cloudy but dry Rec, where we came away 18-14 victors.
Perfect it wasn't, with the only diiff being that we landed three out of four from the tee, with their guy only successful from one from his three attempts.
We could've lost it right at the end, coz.........
The hooter sounded, as they were in possession, and they kicked, we went for the ball, didn't gather it, they kicked again, but fortunately for us, their guy spilled it about a metre from the posts. The con would've been a formality, but we survived.
Thunder at home is next up for us, a week today.
Happy days elsewhere too, as Wire beat the Pinks, and (I think) I've got a full house on the Prediction League!
Spelly.
Thunder at home awaits on Sunday, which will hopefully bring us another two points in our quest for a top four spot.
They've not won all season, but until last night, when they beat Wakey, FC had not tasted victory at home for almost a year, so I'm taking nowt for granted!
Jayden Hatton, who's come back to us after leaving Fev, is in the initial twenty-one man squad.
Former Lion Matty Ashton is our guest-of-honour.
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!!!!
Spelly.
Lions 52-10 Thunder at a hot and clammy Heywood Road this aft, and we're up to a nosebleed second on the ladder.
It was comfortable throughout for us, but (as up there) they kept playing, and didn't throw the towel in.
They made it doubly difficult for themselves around the half hour mark, when they had a guy red carded. What for, I'm not sure, but there was a scuffle (handbags?) after we'd scored, and following a chat with his TJ, it was early shower time.
We rested a few today, and returnee Jayden Hatton helped himself to a hat-trick on his second debut.
Dews away next week, and they comfortably won at our gaff earlier in the campaign, so easy it will not be!
On the downer side, the Pinks finally notched a win! 😒
Spelly.
Dewsbury away on Sunday, and it won't be easy!
They won comfortably at our gaff earlier in the campaign, so we'll have to be at our best if we are to consolidate our position of second on the ladder.
Woody rested a few last week against Thunder, and they're back in the squad, but young Openshaw misses out, as it's the first of his two match suspension, meaning he'll be absent next week too against the Brummies.
On the down side, the Royal Oak, just down the road from the ground has closed. They used to serve a top Sunday lunch, and have been there quite a few times prior to a clash with the Rams.
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!!!
Spelly.
Just back from a damp Flair Stadium, where it finished Rams 26-6 Lions, and the scoreline does not flatter the hosts!
They totally tackled us out of the game, were more than worthy winners, and it's the first double we've conceded this season.
With Worky winning the Marras derby, we've slipped to third on the ladder, just a point ahead of 'Canes, who meet at our gaff next week.
Bonuses? The Pinks collected another silver medal, and (I think) I've posted a full house on the Prediction League.
Finally, could I wish all the best to your injured player. Hope he makes a swift recovery.
Spelly.
Triple header at Heywood Road on Sunday.
It starts at 11.30am with our pathway team hosting yours. This'll be over by 1.00pm-ish, so if you fancy a trip over to see the stars of the future, you'll still have plenty time to return, and take in the clash with the Bulls at NP.
Next up we have the the guys in a 2.00pm KO clash with 'Canes. They (deservedly) won down in Brum, so hopefully, we can repay the compliment!
Finally, our ladies have Oulton Raiders as their guests, and that starts at 4.30pm.
Spelly.
Well. a foursome for yours truly today!
1) Our Kids 56-16 Yours.
2) Lions 16-8 'Canes.
3) Lionesses 36-4 Oulton Raidettes.
The first, and third obviously wins with a bit to spare, but..............
The "main" game was a lot tighter, and whilst we were never behind, the boys from Brum didn't go away, and it was a real contest throughout.
Next up for us? A trip to Colwyn Bay in a week's time, which will prob be our hardest game this term.
Oh yes, nearly forgot what was number 4? A(nother) full house on the Prediction League!
Happy days!
Spelly.
Probably the hardest test we'll have this term, awaits us on Sunday, as we have Cru away.
They've only come second once in league football so far, and that was at our gaff, when we were aided with (as I mentioned in the report at the time) a forward pass in the build-up to a crucial try.
There's (as at NP) a shed-load of ex-Swintonians in their line-up, and I'm sure they'll be thirsting for revenge, so only our very best will suffice, if we're to come home smiling!
It looks like we're taking a decent following, and if we do manage to pull it off, the play-offs (for what they're worth!) should be comfortably achievable, so..............
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!!!!!!!!!
Spelly.
Just home from Colwyn Bay, after witnessing our best performance of the season, with a 24-12 win at the table-toppers!
We scored (rather than conceding) right on the HT hooter, to lead 18-4 at oranges. They got it back to 18-12, but that was as near as they got, and a breakaway Harry Higham try with about five minutes left, sent the two hundred-ish of us into raptures!
We rubbed it in with chants of "You're just a team full of rejects!" "Top of the league? You're having a laugh!" "How crunchie must you be? We've beaten you twice!"
That's only their second league loss this term, and we've been responsible for both of 'em!
Will we Team of the Week in League Express? Not holding my breath though, coz even on the two occasions when we won in Toulouse, they ignored us!
Another double for us as well, as the Robins put the Pinks to the sword on Thursday.
Next up is a trip to (the other) Vikings in a week's time.
Proud to be a Lion!
Spelly.
A good win for you yesterday, Spelly.
Another new ground to be added to my CV on Sunday, as we head to Goole for our penultimate league game of the season, but.........
Will it be the second last contest of our entire campaign?
We're pretty much-nailed on to finish above the dotted line, but........
Play-offs yay or nay? Are they gonna happen?
I agree that if there's only one division below SL next term, there's not much point in staging 'em. but...........
When will we know summat concrete?
Will the curtain come down against 'Ornits next week, or not?
Spelly.
Just back from a hot Victoria Pleasure Gardens, but our performance certainly wasn't hot, coz..........
It finished (the other) Vikings 28-4 Lions.
For the first half hour we had a mountain of possession, aided by a favourable penalty count, but all we had to show for it was kicking goals from two of 'em to lead 4-0, but..................
They then posted three converted tries without us having ball in hand, so..........
In no time at all, they were 18-4 up, and it was that score at the interval.
To stand any chance at all, we need to score first after the restart, but it was the hosts who registered another six pointer, making it GSAM.
I can't remember when we last failed to score a try!
It was the proverbial bad day at the office!
Consolations? The Pinks were stuffed again a bit further east from where we were, and (along with a shed load of you) I registered a full house on the Prediction League.
The guys have no game for a fortnight, when we welcome 'Ornits, but I won't RL-less next weekend, as on Friday, Mackenzie and I are at the Pies v HKR crunch match, then a week today, our girls travel to Fev.
Well done on your win.
Spelly.