Rugby Union
Title delight for unstoppable Lions

Buy photos » Ben Gollings breaks clear of the Dudley defence. Picture by Ray Andrews.

Rugby Lions 19 Dudley Kingswinford 14

National Three Midlands

RUGBY Lions completed an instant return to National Two for next season when crowned champions on Saturday following victory against second placed Dudley Kingswinford.

A fantastic season for the home side has seen them win all 24 league games they have played so far, securing promotion with two games to spare.

In front of their biggest crowd of the season, Lions edged ahead through Leigh Hinton’s seventh minute penalty but Dudley were not prepared to make it easy for the home side to achieve their goal.

They defended well for the remainder of the half and got themselves ahead when Stefan Shillingford crossed for the game’s first try, Gareth Brown converted.

Lions enjoyed good spells in Dudley’s half as they tried to respond but their only reward before the break was a second Hinton penalty.

Hinton kicked another penalty at the start of the second half to give Lions a two-point lead before they scored their first try of the contest in the 52nd minute when Ben Gollings ran through the defence brilliantly to touch down.

A yellow card for the visitors gave Lions a man advantage and they took full advantage when Nigel Mukarati scored a second try to give Lions breathing space with 13 minutes remaining.

Dudley set up a nervy finale though when Brown converted Jon Higgins’ conversion but Lions were not to be denied and when the ball was cleared into touch by Neil Davies, the celebrations could begin.

Lions are without a game on Saturday but return to action on April 14 when they visit Broadstreet in their final away game of the season.

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