Leicester Lions beat injury-hit Stockport

Leicester Lions ended their three match losing streak in style as they ran in nine tries to beat an injury hit Stockport 55-0 in National League 2 North.

The Lions led 29-0 at half-time with Jack Spittle, Kane Nixon, Robert Young and Jonathan Boden going over before the hosts were also awarded a penalty try.

Stockport had to take off Jonny Edwards and David Hopkins due to injury during the first half meaning a change of shape for the visitors. Callum Baldwin also picked up an injury, but fought through the pain for the full 80 minutes.

Ben Marsland was added to the injury list after the break, as Leicester continued to be ruthless going forward. Devon Constant, Luke Veebel and two tries from debutant Ben Brownlie added to the home side’s advantage.

There wasn’t even any consolation for Stockport who had had another tough day at the office which was not helped by their injury list which keeps on growing.

After the game Stockport coach Matthew Bebbington said: "The reality is we have got a small squad. We had three players pull out due to injuries in the week and we had four injuries today and I think we have 13 first team players out.

"I don’t think our slow start set the tone. It was the four quick injuries we had in the first half which means you have players slightly playing out of position.

"I think the biggest thing is some of the 12 or 13 injuries we have got now, are short term injuries. We have five players back from long term injuries after Christmas, so it would just be nice to have a full squad to choose from. If you have a full squad, there is more competition which means training is better and it has an edge to it which hopefully we can take into games on a Saturday."

Stockport went into this match without key players which included Captain Andy Fuller, Simon Green and Jamie Anthony as well as a number of other players who are currently on the treatment table and this seemed to hinder their progress from the first whistle.

Leicester had their opening try inside the first 60 seconds as Spittle touched down after Stockport looked like they had the chance to score, but failed to see the opportunity.

Port produced a decent response from this early setback as Edwards made some intelligent breaks, but Stockport just couldn’t keep the pressure on Leicester at the breakdowns.

Instead, Leicester added to their lead on 12 minutes. After a strong catch and drive from the lineout, quick hands from Steve Cross and Nathan Donnachie allowed Nixon to barge his way over after a missed tackle by Stockport.

As in previous weeks, the opposition side have used their larger pack to their advantage against Stockport and Leicester continued in the same vain on Saturday afternoon and this led to try number three of the game.

After numerous penalties conceded by Stockport, Young dived over after Leicester overwhelmed Port at the scrum to give his side a 15-0 lead inside 20 minutes.

Stockport went close from the restart, but handling errors and a strong Leicester defence thwarted them and they were punished as the hosts added their fourth try to the score sheet through Boden which he also converted.

Port’s afternoon then went from bad to worse as Edwards had to come off after suffering a deep cut below the eye and Hopkins followed shortly after with a leg injury which changed Stockport’s shape with players playing slightly out of their normal positions.

Ashley Platt-Hughes had a half chance for a Stockport just before half-time, but couldn’t get on the end of his own kick. Soon after, Leicester made it five first half tries as referee Will Halford awarded a penalty try which Boden converted.

Matthew Bebbington was forced into making another change at the start of the second half as Marsland had to be replaced. This meant that usual front rower Sammy Graham had to go into the back row showing again that Stockport really had to reshuffle all afternoon.

Toby Gaskell (Jonny Edwards’ replacement) showed some positive breaks throughout the second period which was encouraging for the future at the club considering he is only 18 years-old, but Stockport just couldn’t get any points on the board.

Leicester continued to be ruthless in what was a penalty stricken and scrappy second half and scored try number six on 64 minutes.

The home side used their strength and power from the line-out and Brownlie made an instant impact after coming off the bench to score a debut try for Leicester. Boden added the extras.

Brownlie had to wait just four minutes for his second try as he scrambled the ball over from the base of the scrum to make the score 41-0.

Stockport’s Joe Cantwell made a trademark dynamic run shortly after, but was halted and Leicester then added two further tries against a tiring and weary Stockport side who had tackled their hearts out all afternoon.

Firstly Constant produced the try of the match as he ran from the just inside the Stockport half past three or four tackles and powered his way to the line. Boden nudged over the conversion and did exactly the same minutes later as Veebel showed great hands to score and round off another difficult away day for Stockport.

Stockport’s next match is away at Sedgley Park next Saturday. Kick-Off is 2:30pm

Leicester Lions: Spittle; Constant, Donnachie, Cross, Kane; Boden, Hogan; Young, Drew, Poullett; Tuckey, Knight; Murray, Taylor, Spokes
Replacements: Morley, Brownlie, Murdoch, Veebel, Campbell

Tries: Spittle, Nixon, Young, Boden, Penalty Try, Brownlie (2), Constant, Veebel
Cons: Boden (5)

Stockport: Fletcher ; Cantwell , Platt-Hughes, Smith, Tennuci;  J Edwards, M Edwards;  K Hibbs, Baldwin, Marsland;  Hopkins, Roddy (capt) ; Nicholson, Millea, C Anthony.
Replacements: Gill,  Graham,  C Hibbs, Gaskell, Street.