A vastly depleted Deal and Betteshanger Lions lost a scrappy game 22-14 at Purley John Fisher on Saturday.

The Lions missed an early penalty and the home side moved into the lead in the eighth minute with a penalty and two more successful kicks made it 9-0.

The Lions were losing the battle for territory and possession but fought their way back and were rewarded for a bout of pressure on Purley’s line when John Harrington barged over, with Leighton Docherty converting.

Harrington had to go off injured before the break and hooker Andy Widdett had to be replaced early on in the second half before Purley John Fisher moved further ahead with another penalty.

The game appeared to be slipping away from the visitors when the home side opened up a 19-7 lead with a converted try after a sloppy pass was intercepted.

However, the inexperienced Lions were not done and closed the gap to just five points when Nathan Mitford, playing out of position in the centre, showed characteristic strength and determination to brush off two defenders and burst over, with Docherty adding the extras.

The Lions gallant effort was finally dashed with just four minutes left when
the game was put to bed with a snap 30-metre drop goal.