STOURBRIDGE Lions narrowly missed out on a win at Derbyshire club Melbourne after a controversial end to the game.

The game was a story of recycled pressure by Melbourne against strong  defence interspersed by swift and clinical attacks bt the Lions.

The Lions broke out and Sam Wilson went over in the corner after five minutes for an unconverted try.

On 12 minutes Alex Jones was sin-binned for a high tackle but the Lions fashioned another move from which Wilson scored again in the corner on 20 minutes and the conversion left the Lions with a healthy early lead.

The rest of the half saw continuing pressure from Melbourne, with powerful drives by their forwards orchestrated by a fine performance from their scrum-half.

This eventually told with a try in the 34th minute followed by a penalty goal near half time, making the score to 12-8 to the Lions at the break.

The second half opened with a penalty goal from the home side.

Soon after a stolen lineout on half way progressed through several pairs of hands for a Lions break to put Alex Jones in down the right. A fine conversion from Wilson added the extras.

The key moment came with 10 minutes left following a period of sustained Melbourne pressure on the Lions' 22 which eventually produced a try under the posts.

The Lions were left fuming after the score was awarded despite what the visitors say was a clear knock-on by a Melbourne forward during the scoring move.

The game then flowed from end to end, after a Lions attack the home side drove upfield and the Stourbridge team was penalised in front of their posts 20m out.

The kick was converted to make the final score 21-19, leaving the Lions feeling robbed by the referee.

The Lions will hope for better fortune when they entertain Moseley Oak next weekend.