Ireland made history at the weekend with their first win over the Lions in a competitive game held at Golborne Parkside.

The visitors notched two tries in five minutes after a tense opening. Halfback Thomas Ashcroft created both with kicks and fullback Oliver Whitford was the beneficiary. Ashurst also goaled both.

More good position followed in the 31st minute and Ireland attacked from a scrum with Stephen Cahill finishing a flowing move on the right and Ashurst goaled again.

The Lions finally had something to cheer three minutes later when a break from Devan Sharp and support by Harry Sheridan led to a try by Daniel Knott and George Jameson goaled.

It remained 6-18 at the break and Ireland added a penalty goal from Ashurst after the Lions were caught offside five minutes into the second half.

The Lions pounced for their second try after 57 minutes. Dylan Grears run set the position before Scott Simmons, Jameson and Sharp combined and Ben Metcalf ran back against the defence to sweep over by the posts. Jameson goaled and the Lions went back to back with another try just before the hour. It went the way of Jameson who showed tremendous poise and no little skill to break the line and speed over from twenty metres. His third goal closed the game to 18-20.

Ireland closed ranks defensively and crucially added a try nine minutes from time when centre Matt Cahill bustled forward and offloaded for Whitford to score his hat-tricl. Ashurst added his fifth goal to increase the lead to eight points.

An off the ball challenge saw Ireland's Jake Parkes sinbinned with four minutes remaining and England Community Lions followed that with a try after Sharp and Luke Sutcliffe combined to release Armand Jozef Palinkas to the line. Jameson added his fourth goal but Ireland navigated a tricky last couple of minutes to claim their historic win.

England: Harry Sheridan, Daniel Knott, Oliver Smart, Henry Ogden, Jacob Haigh; George Jameson, Devan Sharp; Dylan Grears, Scott Simmons, Armand Jozef Palinkas, Keane Elms, Ben Metcalf, Luke Sutcliffe. Subs: Joshua Blinkhorn, Jack Lawler, Malachi Price, Jacob Rushforth, Harry Barker, Tom Farren.

Tries: Daniel Knott, Ben Metcalf, George Jameson, Armand Jozef Palinkas.
Goals: Gearge Jameson 4/4


Ireland:Oliver Whitford, Lewis Wing, George Charnock, Matt Cahill, Stephen Cahill; Sean Murray, Thomas Ashurst; Odhran Brannigan, Rory Lynch, Patrick Stapleton, Samuel Winney, Adam Quinn, Todah Dowdall. Subs: Conor Colman, Kyle Barrett, Jamie Gill, Dean Broderick, Jake Parkes

Tries: Oliver Whitford 3, Stephen Cahill
Goals: Thomas Ashurst 5/5
 

Photo: Ben Challis