STOURBRIDGE Lions were well beaten 44-7 when they travelled to second-placed Old Saltleians last Saturday.

The Lions opened against a strong wind and found themselves seven points down within two minutes, the ball being ripped from an un-supported Lions player and returned 40 metres for the opening try.

Ten minutes later a break by the home 10 ended with a try close in for a 12-0 lead.

The Lions pulled themselves together and, with a dominant set scrum put huge pressure on the Salts for around 20 minutes, repelled by a combination of good tackling and persistent offside, evidenced by the 11-3 penalty count in the Lions’ favour and a sin-bin for a home lock.

Despite this, the half ended with a penalty goal for the home side, who led 15-0 at the break. No matter, the Lions had hope for the second half with the wind behind them and a stronger set scrum.

The second half was, however, a disaster, although the Lions did manage a converted try by Wilson.

By then the match was long gone, with 29 points and five tries to a home outfit that were simply fitter, faster to the breakdown and more purposeful in attack.

A usually good defence was at times torn to shreds and players who normally rarely miss tackles were being beaten or by-passed. Salts merely played disciplined, tough rugby and, crucially compared to the Lions, kept the ball and passed it out of contact.

The Lions will welocome Shrewsbury this Saturday.