LSH feel the pace

A FRANTIC first half, played at a fast, frenzied and frenetic pace all but settled this game in favour of the well-supported visitors from the Midlands.

Despite putting the first points on the board with a Simon Worsley penalty after two minutes, LSH went behind just three minutes later to the type of try which was to set the trend for the whole afternoon.

While in an attacking position, LSH allowed Dudley Kingswinford to gain possession in their own half from which they counter-attacked with such devastating speed that the home side's defensive cover was left flat-footed. On this occasion winger Steve Smart raced 60 yards for the first of a hat-trick of tries.

His second was from 70 yards and his third was an early Christmas present from the LSH defence, scored immediately after half-time.

These scores were interspersed with two fine solo efforts from one of the best players seen at Moss Lane this season, Sean Perry, the 21-year-old home-grown Dudley Kingswinford scrum half.

This was a game in which LSH had as much, if not more possession than the opposition and on occasions made it count. In the early stages when the scoreboard operator needed an extra pair of hands Fraser Harris extended his match try-scoring sequence by sprinting on to the end of a well-judged Worsley kick through and Worsley himself added two further penalties.

Although14-26 down at half-time, led by a determined front and second-row, LSH conceded just 10 points in the second half but try as they might they couldn't find a way past a well-organised Dudley Kingswinford defence.

Beaten by an in-form and powerful team, Eric Hughes' men did not help their cause by making too many errors. They appear to need to find additional pace if they are to carry on with the improvements of recent weeks and have a fine opportunity to do this at Morley on Saturday.