Leicester Lions 29 Bromsgrove 28

BROMSGROVE’S eighth yellow card in three matches saw them snatch defeat from the jaws of victory at Leicester Lions in National Two North.

A trio of sin-binnings at Otley a fortnight ago, followed by three yellows, two for Wayne Cooper, against Stourbridge last weekend, preceded another game which the Boars were made to pay for their ill-discipline.

Having seen Chris McGregor yellow carded early on for an alleged tip-tackle, Tom Warren was binned in the dying stages of this clash with the Boars leading 28-22.

This allowed Lions’ Jack Gibbons, whose twin brother Sam was on the field for Bromsgrove, to be pushed over for a try in the corner and the hosts’ player-coach Jon Boden converted for a one-point success.

Lions took an early lead following the yelllow card to McGregor as Boden squeezed a penalty in off the post before Jon Lowden ran in a simple try.

With their numbers restored the Boars came back strongly and Phil Horton ghosted through the Lions defence to touch down near the posts and give John Critchlow a simple conversion.

Bromsgrove maintained their pressure and things were looking good when Dave Hughes was driven over from a catch and drive at a line-out.

However, the feel good factor went quickly when more poor defending allowed Lowden through for his second try which Boden converted.

Lions were in the ascendancy and piled on the pressure allowing hooker Dale Ager score from close range.

The away side reduced the arrears with two Critchlow penalties.

The Boars gained the advantage after the interval when a phase of home pressure saw Town turn the tables.

Scrum-half Dave Brazier reacted smartly at a penalty and allowed Tom Millen to touch down which Critchlow converted before kicking a penalty 10 minutes later to restore the lead.

As was the way at Otley, Bromsgrove substitutions in the final quarter seemed to affect the balance of the side.

Unfortunately, the previously immaculate Critchlow missed a penalty 10 minutes from time which might have made the game safe before Lions snatched victory.