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The Great Britain Community Lions Rugby League side have today set off on their three-game tour of South Africa.



The Lions left Manchester earlier this morning with Head Coach Jimmy Taylor looking forward to the tour which will be known as the ‘Tom Van Vollenhoven 75th Anniversary Tour.’



Taylor said: “We’re taking a 22-man squad with us and will be playing two games before the Test match against the South African Rhinos on Saturday July 31.



“In the first game our opponents will be wearing a replica of St Helens’ Wembley strip from the 1966 Challenge Cup final, whilst the next game will see us play in front of Tom Van Vollenhoven at the club of which he is now president.”



The squad includes Andrew Lake from Co-operative Rugby League Conference side St Albans Centurions, whilst the RAF also provide a squad member in hooker Jimmy Bardgett.



Skirlaugh contribute four members of the tour party in Steve Atkinson, Matty Bowers, Jordan Precious and captain Sean Wildbore and from the other side of the Pennines, Ince Rose Bridge of Wigan are represented through Tony Baker, Wayne Leyland and Scott Winstanley.



Commenting on his selections Taylor was keen to point out that it is not just the players’ ability on the field that helps sway his judgement on a player.



He said: “I make sure I don’t just pick people of how they play, I also only pick good lads off the field.



“It’s important when you’re away that everyone is going to get on well together and that’s a big part of the success of any tour.”



To keep up to date with the Lions progress in South Africa visit www.therfl.co.uk/community

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The Great Britain Community Lions made a winning start to their tour of South Africa with a 42-22 victory over South Africa A.

The Lions took just two minutes to open their account as loose forward Gary Middlehurst supported a break from Tony Baker (pictured) to cross and he was followed over by Joe Budd just moments later with Baker again the provider.

On fifteen minutes a break from Paul Pendlebury was well backed up by winger Chris Walker who raced in from 40 metres out, however the hosts were not to be outdone and responded with their opening try courtesy of Dean Kramer.

Despite Gavin Corfield hitting back with a four pointer Lions coach Jimmy Taylor will have been disappointed with the way his side finished the half and with time running out South Africa crossed the whitewash for a second time following a lack of concentration in the Great Britain defence which meant the sides went in at the break at 20-10.

The second period saw the sides trade scores again as Luca Pruis went over to reduce the deficit before Matty Bower responded, although when home winger Wayne Burger scrambled over the game was again back in the balance.

However, a strong last quarter from Great Britain proved to be the difference as an Anthony Atherton brace and a second from Budd saw them run out 42-22 winners

Andre

Jul 30 2010, 07:10 PM

2nd game of the British Lions Community tour was played at LC DE Villiers Stadium in Pretoria on Wednesday 28 July BCL 70- SA Students 0.

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The Great Britain Community Lions continued their South African tour with a comprehensive 70-0 demolition of the South African Students.

The Lions took just four minutes to open their account as a surging run from prop Scott Winstanley (Ince Rose Bridge) opened up the home defence and winger Chris Walker (Oulton Raiders) was on hand to touchdown.

Great Britain’s second try was not far behind as the influential Jordan Precious (Skirlaugh) created space for Gary Middlehurst (Leigh East) to race over and before the quarter hour mark had arrived a third effort from Mark Holmes (Oulton Raiders) had put the tourists well in command.

Further first half efforts from Walker and Middlehurst, plus a brace from forward Steve Atkinson (Skirlaugh) and goals from Precious meant the Lions were well in command at 32-0 at the break