Rugby Union :
Battling Lions’ Twickenham dream ends (with extra photos)

By Wednesday 07 May 2014 Updated: 08/05 17:16

Buy photos » Rugby Lions line up at Twickenham for their Junior Vase Final on Sunday, May 4. Photograph by Ray Andrews. (s)

RUGBY UNION: IT was disappointment for the Rugby Lions on Sunday morning as they lost their Junior Vase final at Twickenham 23-12 to Longlevens of Gloucester.

Around 1,000 supporters of each side made the journey to watch their teams battle it out for the crown

However, the Lions' could not keep pace with the Longlevens backs in the first half and went behind by 23 points.

The Lions' Chris Easton scored the club's first ever try at Twickenham right on half-time with Jamie Whiteside adding the extras and, with and amazing comeback already under their belts to win the Midland vase on the way to rugby headquarters, the belief was still their that they could catch Longlevens.

Another try, this time scored by player manager Rob Walton, however, was not enough to bring the Lions the win they wanted.

“Obviously a loss is not the best way to finish a season,” said Walton.

“We have exceeded all expectations winning the league and the Junior Vase and we all enjoyed our weekend.

“However, we weren't able finish it off how we wanted to. We had a terrible first 20 minutes.

"Frustratingly perhaps we created more chances than we took and we dominated the set pieces and the line out on scrums."

Walton rued mistakes made early on and but conceded that Longlevens were good at moving the ball and had a quick back line.

“We didn't play the defensive game we planned and fatigue then set in because of the speed at which they were playing.

"We weren't clinical enough. It was nice to score but too little too late.

“The fans were all tremendous and reacted positively I think there were around 1,000 of each set of supporters.

"We tried to assure we gave it everything. We want to thank the fans, the club, committee and the RFU.

“We all really enjoyed the occasion and the fact we are part of a club that is rebuilding."

On the Saturday the team watched Newcastle away at Wasps before having a light training session and a team meal, which added to the special nature to the proceedings and was just reward for a season that has seen them promoted from Midlands West Five (south) as undefeated champions and lift the Midland Vase.

“We have achieved the goals we set out at start of the season and I hope the majority of players will be here next season. They have enjoyed this year learning a lot and they have progressed," said Walton.

“We have another challenge now as we move up a league and I hope it will be a big lesson for us all – we want to be back here next year.”

Rugby Lions scorers: Tries: Easton, Walton. Conversions: Whiteside.

Rugby Lions 15 Ian Renard, 14 Jonathan Ure, 13 Chris Easton, 12 Gareth Bott, 11 Adam Attenborough, 10 Jamie Whiteside, 9 James Collins, 1 Tom Kilburn, 2 Jack Riley, 3 David Nurse, 4 Benjamin Everton, 5 Rob Walton, 6 Oliver Machon, 7 Josh Lockley, 8 Ben Husthwaite

Replacements: 16 Karl Lawson, 17 Daniel Martin,18 Ian Edwards, 19 Thomas Kimberley, 20 James Scott , 21 Chris Bennett , 22 John Morgan

Buy photos» Player coach Rob Walton with his wife Gemma, their three week old baby boy Gabriel and eight-year-old son Jake who ran out with the players. Photograph by Ray Andrews. (s)