Cardiff Lions RFC - UK IGR Champions 2022

It was a long journey for our team up to Leeds for the first ever UK IGR Finals. After what had been a long season, already full of accolades never previously achieved in the club’s history, this was the last stop for the 21/22 season. This game was branded as the 'Grand Final and the crème de la crème that would top of a historic season for the club.
Spirits were high in the build up to the game, having been crowned Southern League Champions just two weeks prior. However, the team remained cautious, as the opposition, The Sheffield Vulcans, were unknown to us as a team; having not met in a game for years previously. This momentum carried us in good stead for the final as our boys came out of the blocks with a bang. The forwards once again led the way with some barnstorming runs by forwards Jacob Joseph, Ieuan Regan, Owain Lewis and Ed Foley. However, it was the performance of talismanic number 8 Tom Andrews who laid first blood with a try from the close range in the 8th minute of the game. Such pressure on the opposition remained, as they tried to persevere with what was becoming another dominant display by the Lions up front. As the game continued, the tries kept ticking over with further scores by Ieuan Regan, Ed Foley and what was to be a hat trick in the first half by Tom Andrews. Going into half time, the Lions were firmly in the driver’s seat with a 33-0 score.

Come the second half, many changes were made from the bench in order to give all the boys who had worked so hard for the team this season one last run out. The drive and determination shown in the first half would carry over into the second half, with the lions once again storming through the defensive line and cutting down any threat of a comeback from the opposition. With further scores from Daniel Ball, Hywel James, Jacob Joseph, Alessandro Ceccarelli, Jim Dunn and Jack Doble, the gap would extend to a point of no return for the opposition. The Vulcans did however use their heart and grit up front to get over the white line in the 78th minute of the game. The final score, 70-5.

We would like to thank Leeds Hunters Rugby for hosting the event and making the occasion a special one. After a season which included winning the prestigious Thebans tournament in Edinburgh, a back-to-back league win, being crowned Southern League Champions and now the UK IGR Finals, the team can be more than proud of their achievements this season. So, we sign off the season with another trophy in the cabinet and an urge to do it all again in the 202/23 Season.