A DRAMATIC and controversial late try condemned Stourbridge Lions to a narrow defeat at home to Wolverhampton.

Despite having the edge for much of the game and outscoring Wolves two to one in tries, they slipped to a 17-15 loss.

However, despite disappointment at the end, the Lions had to reflect that they could and should have put the game out of reach when in charge against a team with 14 players for the whole second half.

The Lions started badly and for the first 15-20 minutes were pushed back by a more aggressive Wolves outfit; only desperate defence held the score to a single penalty goal after eight minutes.

The Lions gradually worked their way back into contention and on the half hour, after a number of inroads into the Wolves 22, a try from Josh Trinham was followed by a fine conversion from Ben Trinham to give the Lions a 7-3 lead. A penalty in the Lions 22 soon after brought Wolves back to a single point.

The half ended with the Lions on top and deep in the Wolves half, but the game exploded just before half-time.

With a Lions back row already in the sin bin, there was a late tackle by the Lions 7 which led to a punch in retaliation by the Wolves 6. The Lions player was yellow carded but the Wolves flanker saw red. The penalty was reversed and Ben Trinham slotted the three points to give the Lions a four point lead at the end of a half that had lasted over 50 minutes.

The second half started with the Lions fielding 13 men to Wolves 14 for the first three minutes. Again the Lions were slow off the blocks and allowed Wolves to exert pressure which resulted in a penalty goal to again make the difference one point.

The Lions woke up after this and after huge pressure in all phases and a number of breaks the Lions got a deserved second try after 25 minutes when Scotty Langdon went over on the left after a series of scrums and rucks. The score was now 15-9 to the Lions going into the final quarter.

Within five minutes Wolves pulled it back to three points with a fourth penalty goal. The game continued with the Lions mainly in the Wolves half until the fatal last couple of minutes.

A couple of questionable penalties saw Wolves gain a lineout on the Lions 22. A drive from the Wolves forwards was eventually halted but from the ensuing ruck the ball was spun wide to the left for Wolves to score.

The Lions appealed the ball had gone forward but the referee, who was in line with the final pass, refused to change his decision and blew the final whistle immediately after the conversion was missed.

This weekend sees the Lions away at bottom club Tamworth.