Lions hunt prize

Pounce: Lt Merrick Laylor takes a lineout during training.

By Michael Brooke

THE Singleton Army Lions wrapped up the minor premiership with a 52-0 win over Nelson Bay to take another step closer to avenging their defeats in the past two grand finals of the Newcastle-Hunter Rugby Union competition.

The Lions had an unexpected but welcome visitor when former CDF Gen Peter Cosgrove (retd) attended a training session to wish them good luck in their march to the premiership.

Gen Cosgrove’s words of inspiration worked magic with the Lions, who went on to smash the hapless Nelson Bay side.

They made easy going of the match early and crossed for two quick tries in the first half, which still produced some good rugby with all members combining well to find space, but unable to convert line breaks into tries. The Lions went to the half time break leading 12-0.

Army dominated throughout the second half, only defending their own line twice and posting six unanswered tries. The Lions outpaced Nelson Bay out wide and found holes up the middle in an impressive team run with few mistakes.

WO2 Dave Boulton, Shannon Southern, Liam Storey, Cpl Steve Hargreaves, Capt Garrath Williams and try scoring machine Capt Denis Davey all scored a try a piece with WO2 Brad Friar scoring two despite battling injury and illness.

Wayne Chandler once again had his kicking boots on, converting six goals for a 52-0 score line.

After wrapping up the minor premiership the Army Lions will now have the first week of the finals off.

The next match for the Lions will be the major semi-final on August 27 when they will play the winner of Maitland and Hamilton at Passmore Oval in Newcastle.