Great Britain Community Lions v South Africa Rhinos

(Test Match Preview)

 

It is the eve of the inaugural test match between the Great Britain Community Lions and the South African Rhinos, I managed to catch up with the Head Coach, Team Manager and Captain of the Great Britain Community Lions and get their takes on the tour and how they perceive the Test Match.

 

Team Manager Jimmy Aspinall commented that the tour has been a massive success in more ways than one.  The objectives to visit South Africa and play a high calibre of opposition, promote the game of Rugby League and provide a performance pathway for British Amatuer players have certainly been achieved.

 

Head Coach, Jimmy Taylor stated, “The physical attributes, enthusiasm and desire of the South African players is very high.  As Gary Schofield added, (in a radio interview on IFM) with some game awareness they will be able to compete on the full international circuit and their aim of securing a spot in the 2013 World Cup is definitely one I feel they can achieve.  I hope the tour has helped them to develop and given them the building blocks for a strong and vibrant future.”

 

In a radio interview with Jimmy Aspinall, Jimmy Taylor and tour captain Sean Wildbore the promotion of the sport and ticket sales testify that there is a real zest and appetite for the game and in excess of 2,000 tickets have been sold for the Test on Saturday 31^st July 2010 at Vaal University.

 

Captain Sean Wildbore commented, “I was lucky enough to tour Australia in 2008 as a player but to do it again this year as Captain is a massive honour.  The lads have been very professional in all they have done from training, eating the right foods and conducting themselves in an appropriate manner when taking in the cultural aspects of the tour.  We are all focussed now towards the test and are looking forward to a tough and physical encounter and are under no illusions that it will be anything other than a test!!!”

 

Finally I caught up with Jimmy Aspinall whom has been extremely busy ensuring that every single thing the team has needed or wanted has been catered for and I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of all the lads the thank him!!!  Jimmy added, “The tour has been a roaring success and I hope we have helped South Africa in a way that mirrors the level of hospitality we have been shown for the duration of the tour.  Dave Van Reenen (SARL President) has been fantastic and always on hand to offer assistance and without him the tour wouldn’t have been the success it has been.  Next up for us is the test, I’m sure Jimmy and the boys are raring to go!”

 

All that leaves now is for the final training session and team announcement that will be made at 11:00am, next stop is Vaal University and the challenge of the South African Rhinos, boy oh boy it will be a Test is every aspect of the word!!!

 

Team Announced at 11:00am

 

1. Paul Pendlebury, 2. Chris Walker, 3. Gavin Corfield, 5. Wayne Leyland, 15. Joe Budd, 6. Jordan Precious, 7. Tony Baker, 8. Lee Brown, 14. Anthony Atherton, 10. Scott Winstanley, 11. Sean Wildbore (C), 20. Mark Holmes, 13. Gary Middlehurst.  SUBS 16. Ryan Smith, 12. Kevin Thompson, 18. David Dunwell, 19. Matt Bowers

 

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Tuesday saw an early morning trianing session with the local South African Primary Schools as part of the development of Rugby League in the Vanderbijlpak area.  This was followed by a trip to Otawi Wildlife Reserve.

The reserve was a great experience and the chance of a life time mixing with lions cubs, taking in a mini safari and enjoying some more South African hospitality.  It was great to hold and mingle with lion cubs and we got the opportunity for some great photo opportunities!!!

 

 

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South Africa Students (0) v Great Britain Community Lions (70)

TUKS Stadium, Pretoria

27 July 2010

 

Great Britain community lions continued their South African tour with a second victory against the South African students winning 70-0.

With only four minutes on the clock a surging run from prop Scott Winstanley opened up the South African defence and with a long pass from Jordan Precious resulted in a try for winger Chris Walker.

With Great Britain pressing hard for a second try, an inside pass from stand off Jordan Precious found Gary Middlehurst who raced twenty five metres to score under the posts. Jordan Precious added the extras.

On fourteen minutes quick hands from one side of the field to the other resulted in a try for Mark Holmes.

Three minutes later Great Britain increased their lead to 18-0, with Tony Baker dominating the middle of the park at just the right moment he released the ball to loose forward Gary Middlehurst enabling him to score his second try.

Six minutes later a high kick from Jordan Precious was completely misjudged by the South African full back which gave winger Chris Walker the opportunity to touch down for the second time in the match.

Half way through the second half Great Britain went further ahead with a try from Steve Atkinson

Six minutes later Atkinson crossed the line again after a great inside pass from Jordan Precious who also kicked the conversion to give Great Britain a 32-0 half time lead.

Eight minutes into the second half Great Britain were on the score sheet again after Matt Bowers touched down after receiving a ball from fifteen metres from the try line, Jordan Precious kicked the easy conversion attempt.

From the restart the ball went wide to centre Carl Redford who raced half the length of the field to score in the corner.

Two minutes later man of the match Paul Pendlebury was on the score sheet after a smart kick from Anthony Atherton deep into the South African goal area completely out foxed the South African defence, Mark Holmes kicked the conversion attempt.

Four minutes later, from the half way line a deep kick from Tony Baker saw stand off Jordan Precious out pace the South African defence and gather the ball and slide over the try line.

With Great Britain throwing the ball about with great confidence a pass from Tony Baker found his winger Joe Budd who scored out wide, once again Mark Holmes kicked the conversion.

On sixty six minutes prop forward Scott Winstanley was on the score sheet after barging his way over the try line from fifteen metres out, this time it was Jordan Precious who kicked the extras.

With only five minutes of the match remaining a David Dunwell try was the final try of the match after, he received a pass from Ryan Smith to score from twenty metres out, and Jordan Precious brought the final score to 70-0.

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Monday saw us take in an early morning gym session at Virgin Fitness Centre followed by a river boat cruise. The River Vaal is home to some majestic houses and fantastic sites.

The cruise was followed by the customary Lancashire v Yorkshire cricket match with the Red Rose coming out on top!!! Yorkshire captain Sean Wildbore won the toss and elected to bowl. Wayne Leyland and Anthony Atherton had great knocks of 34 and 31 respectively. With Joe Budd the pick of the bowlers. Lancashire set a target of 95 for Yorkshire to chase.

 

The Lancashire bowlers tore into the top order and only Joe Budd’s 35 offering any resistance. Atherton and Carl Redford excelled in the field with Paul Pendlebury and Tony Baker the pick off the bowlers. Yorkshire all out for 70 saw the trophy once again heading west to the Red Rose County!!!

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