NATO Lions Vs HMS YORK
With several key players missing and after a couple of defeats the NATO Lions were looking to end their season on a high against a tough side from HMS YORK. The game started at a lively pace with the Lions pack proving they had the strength to dominate play up front driving the YORK pack back over their own line on several occasions. YORK only being saved by some sound defence keeping the ball up. The Lions opened the scoring midway through the first half with a try from Brian Blake, which again was made by the forwards. A penalty followed which was converted by former YORK skipper, PO(SA) Taff John giving the Lions an 8-0 lead. With half time approaching YORK were back in the game with a good try from their scrum half who broke from the base of the scrum to weave through the Lion's back line and score under the post which was easily converted taking the score to 8-7 at half time.
The teams swapped ends and the second half proved to be as entertaining as the first with both teams upping their games with some good fluent rugby. It was again the Lions who scored first with the pack winning good quick ball allowing the backs to rip through the YORK defence to score a well worked try which was converted by John to give the Lions a healthy 15-8 lead with time running out. To their credit HMS YORK still weren't finished and started to really apply the pressure on the Lion's line scoring their second try of the game which again was converted to bring the score back to 15-14 with only minutes to go. With the heat starting to take its toll on both teams, YORK launched their final assault on the Lion's line only failing to score by some immense tackling to keep YORK's No 8 out, which brought this great game to an end. Final score NATO Lions 15 HMS YORK 14.
This game brought to an end a very successful season and the Lions intend to build on this next year with a full fixture schedule and an overseas tour.