DESPITE being reduced to 12 players at one stage, Stourbridge Lions still managed to secure an excellent 29-15 success over Old Coventrians and cement third place in Midlands Two West (South).

After electing to play with a gale force wind in their favour for the first period, it took the Lions almost half an hour to open the scoring when centre Aaron Boffey stormed over from close range. Fly-half Sam Wilson added the extras.

It took a further 10 minutes for Lions to add a further try as flanker Scott Langdon raced 30 metres to score. Wilson kicked the conversion.

Lions were then penalised for poor discipline just before half-time with two players sent to the sin bin.

However, that didn’t stop the Lions increasing their lead three minutes into the second-half when full-back Duncan Chance forced his way over for an unconverted try.

Lions were then reduced to 12 through a third yellow card and Coventrians made their numerical advantage count when Paul Wilkes went over for a try.

That was the only score the Lions conceded while down to 12 and once restored to more players, a fourth try was grabbed when scrum-half Jones and flanker Langdon combined to send replacement centre Cass Brookes over for a try.

Wilkes snapped up a second try for Coventrians but Lions responded rapidly through a further try from replacement back row player Tom Gallop.

Coventrians managed the last word when Johnson crossed for try.

The Lions look to make it six wins out seven this Saturday when they travel to Dunlop.