STOURBRIDGE Lions missed out on a semi-final place when narrowly losing 14-11 at Northampton Old Scouts last Saturday.

The Lions travelled down to Northampton for their cup quarter-final in good heart. A few faces were missing from the last game before Christmas but a strong squad was assembled for the tie.

The first 15 minutes proved crucial to the whole game with two tries to the Scouts, through their 13 and 10, with breaks through the midfield, both converted for a 14-0 lead.

Slowly but surely the Lions began the process of working their way back into the tie and, for much of the remainder of the game, were the better side.

They withstood the Scouts attacks for most of the rest of the half and, around the 20th minute mark, a smart box kick by Ben Trinham spelled panic down the hosts' right and Chance pounced for a fine try.

Ten minutes later, a series of drives by the Lions and desperate defence by the home side in their own 22 with several attempts to kill the ball ended with Sam Wilson kicking a simple penalty when, with a little good fortune, a further try was beckoning. The half ended with the Lions six points down.

In the first five mins of the second half, another bout of Lions pressure in the home 22 led to another penalty for Wilson to reduce the arrears to three.

By now the Lions pack were beginning to dominate, with the front-row in the ascendancy and Stu Doolittle and Tom Gallup prominently athletic around the field and in the loose.

The remainder of the half was nip and tuck but the Lions looked the more dangerous at times, not least when a series of infringements by Scouts led to them being kicked back to their own 22 with five minutes to go.

A further infringement gave the Lions the chance of a catch and drive to the line. However, the ball was agonisingly lost before it could be grounded. A further penalty and lineout was, to Scouts’ credit, stolen and the pressure cleared.

A competitive game with both sides having their moments but the Lions came away feeling they could and should have won against a side top of their division.

Next week it is back to league action as the Lions face a difficult trip to second placed Old Salts.