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Sat 05 Jan 2019 · National 2 North
Leicester Lions
1st XV
25
19
Match Preview
Tim Carty3 Jan 2019 - 10:07
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Chester travel to TMDP Park in Blaby to take on Leicester Lions in the first competitive fixture of 2019. Jan Deventer's men will be looking to add further pressure on League leaders Hull Ionians, currently 3 points ahead in the race for the title. Hull travel to Peteborough Lions to take on the bottom placed side.
The return fixture with Leicester Lions at Hare Lane took place on the 3rd Saturday of the season and saw Chester run out 24-12 bonus point winners; a late try denying the visitors a bonus point. That defeat came in the middle of a very disappointing opening month for the Lions, losing all 5 games in September. In fact their season so far has been a little inconsistent, as that run of defeats was followed by 3 good wins, including a fantastic performance away at Otley, and then 3 defeats and a draw in November and finally 3 successes in December. The highlights in December included defeating league leaders Hull Ionians, who were scoreless, and a thumping win in a high scoring game against local rivals South Leicester.
So which team will Chester face on Saturday?
For the away side, Chester will surely focus on doing the things that have provided success so far. Great defence and a well drilled driving game. Chester still have the meanest defence in the league, having conceded an average of 16 points per game, and the highest points difference in the league. A 2018/19 record of 12 wins from 16 games has presented Chester with a fantastic opportunity to kick on in the latter half of the season. Maintaining that form will be key as rarely in the last 5 seasons have the top two sides lost more than 4 games across an entire season. This season, more than ever, has shown that on any given day any side can turnover any other.
Chester don't have a great away record at Leicester Lions, not recording a win there over the last 5 seasons, whilst winning all the matches at Hare Lane. This season, Chester have showed good away form and that will need to be repeated to travel back with an undefeated start for the New Year.
Kick Off on Saturday is 2pm, and for those travelling the postcode is LE8 4DY
The return fixture with Leicester Lions at Hare Lane took place on the 3rd Saturday of the season and saw Chester run out 24-12 bonus point winners; a late try denying the visitors a bonus point. That defeat came in the middle of a very disappointing opening month for the Lions, losing all 5 games in September. In fact their season so far has been a little inconsistent, as that run of defeats was followed by 3 good wins, including a fantastic performance away at Otley, and then 3 defeats and a draw in November and finally 3 successes in December. The highlights in December included defeating league leaders Hull Ionians, who were scoreless, and a thumping win in a high scoring game against local rivals South Leicester.
So which team will Chester face on Saturday?
For the away side, Chester will surely focus on doing the things that have provided success so far. Great defence and a well drilled driving game. Chester still have the meanest defence in the league, having conceded an average of 16 points per game, and the highest points difference in the league. A 2018/19 record of 12 wins from 16 games has presented Chester with a fantastic opportunity to kick on in the latter half of the season. Maintaining that form will be key as rarely in the last 5 seasons have the top two sides lost more than 4 games across an entire season. This season, more than ever, has shown that on any given day any side can turnover any other.
Chester don't have a great away record at Leicester Lions, not recording a win there over the last 5 seasons, whilst winning all the matches at Hare Lane. This season, Chester have showed good away form and that will need to be repeated to travel back with an undefeated start for the New Year.
Kick Off on Saturday is 2pm, and for those travelling the postcode is LE8 4DY
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