Having won the competition in 2022, the Lions went into the final as underdogs to face a France side that accounted for the full England Academy side just a couple of weeks ago, and emerged on top thanks to a superb defensive display.
This was a dogged and committed performance from the Lions who battled from minute one through to the last-minute winner.
France fired the ball out of play from the kick-off and Blackbrook’s Josh Langley went close before a kick from Wath Brow’s Devan Sharp had Daniel Knott leaping and touching down but the Dalton man was adjudged offside.
Both sides went toe-to-toe with Trevor Chiffoleau, Alexis Lis and Giovanni Descalzi Ganthier setting the lead for France with Miller Dalton (Hensingham), Tom Farren (Roose Pioneers) and Ben Metcalfe (Rochdale Mayfield) doing likewise for the Lions.
The Community side took the lead in the 23rd minute when a hook ball from Millom’s Josh Blinkhorn released Dalton to the line after the industrious Joe Lewis of Siddal was halted close.
Salford City Rooster George Jamieson goaled and although the French side had some excellent field position, better defence kept them at bay.
It remained 6-0 until the first half’s final play, when Sharp potted a field-goal from thirty metres to increase the advantage to 7-0 at the interval.
Four minutes into the new half, France broke through Yllan Mongay and Marcus Geener (Waterhead) was sinbinned for holding down. The Community Lions tackled their hearts out and came up with some smart attacking plays to keep France at arms length.
There was no change to the score but France did find a response after 55 minutes when Matis Jammes kicked short, Clement Martin flooded through and Jammes supported to score.
Jiminez-Lopez goaled and was on target again just after the hour after the Lions were penalised for dragging a ball out of the tackle. It was now 7-8 with nineteen minutes remaining.
Two minutes later George Jamieson dabbed a low kick through but couldn’t quite ground the ball for what would have been a spectacular effort.
Into the final ten minutes, a penalty goal from Jamieson edged the Lions in front and it remained that way until the last two minutes when West Cumbrian Dalton crashed through again from close range for his second try to seal his man of the match award, and the championship and Jamieson added his third goal to make it 15-8.
Kell’s Sam Murtagh, Hensingham’s Miller Dalton and Wath Brow’s Devan Sharp all made the team of the tournament following stand out showings in the Semi-final and Final.
The trio were part of a five-man contingent from the England Community Lions, who lifted the trophy for a second consecutive time following a committed 15-8 success over France in Belgrade on Saturday evening.
Team: Josh Langley, Sam Murtagh, Marcus Geener, Henry Ogden, Daniel Knott; George Jamieson, Devan Sharp; Miller Dalton, Josh Blinkhorn, Tom Farren, Keane Elms, Ben Metcalfe, Joe Lewis.
Subs (All used): Jack Lawler, Harry Barker, Josh Hopkins, Fletcher Holgate.
Tries: Dalton (22, 78).
Goals: Jamieson 3/3, Sharp FG (40).
France: Loris Zammut, Baptiste Pourchi, Clement Martin, Lenny Marc, Yllan Mongay; Mateo Jiminez Lopez, Matis Jammes; Alexis Lis, Hugo Garrigues, Giovanni Descalzi-Ganthier, Trevor Chiffoleau, Bontay Rayan, Felix Aubry.
Subs (All used): Felix Gautier, Wassim Mouelhi, Killian Descostes, Anthony Munico.
Try: Jammes (54).
Goals: Jiminez Lopez 2/2.
Halftime: 7-0
Fulltime: 15-8
