LEICESTER Lions were formed in 1998 through the amalgamation of two clubs, Westleigh and Wigston – established in 1904 and 1946 respectively.

These two clubs were situated about two miles apart in the south of Leicester and decided their future would be enhanced as a joint club.

Lions have recently improved their facilities with a new club house at their Westleigh Park, Blaby headquarters.

They began their League career in Midlands One and finished fourth in their first season.
By 2005 they earned promotion to National Three North, then in 2009 moved up to National Two North, finishing third in 2016 and 2017.

In a re-organisation of Leagues, Lions spent two campaigns in National Two South before switching to National Two West for the 2022/23 season – which suited them well. They lost just one game and won the league by a margin of 18 points.

Notable former Lions, Westleigh and Wigston players include World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson, and other England internationals in lock Louis Deacon and centre Billy Twelvetrees.

Our clubs met for the first time in October 2023, Lions coming out on top 26-24 to end Rams’ six-match winning start to the season despite Fraser Honey converting Ben Atkins’ try to give the visitors the lead.

A dire second quarter saw Aston Gradwick-Light, Geordie Irvine and Nick Cairns all touch down for Leicester, Dan Lewis with a trio of kicks for 21-7, before a fine team try just before the break was finished by Zach Clow for Rams.

Honey converted after Max Hayman crossed just before the hour mark, Jak Rossiter then securing the bonus-point wide on the right, but Lewis proved the match-winner as Lions went from inside their own 22 with less than two minutes to play and Honey’s last-gasp attempted drop-goal was unable to hit the target.

Rams had more success in the return fixture back at Old Bath Road in February, however, turning a 28-0 half-time lead into a 33-12 final score for a fifth consecutive success at the start of the calendar year.

Axel Kalling-Smith dotted down in the second minute before Charlie Robson, Hayman and Atkins also went over before the break, Honey on target on all four occasions.

Lions kept themselves in the game as Malelili Salala bagged a brace, Lewis adding to the second, but Mike Hoyt’s 71st-minute effort effectively put the game to bed and ensured the spoils were shared across the two matches.

Back in October, Rams celebrated their Centenary game with a 54-29 home victory against Lions.

A Tom Vooght try gave Rams the lead before Leicester got on the board through a Luke Bouchier penalty, only for Honey to convert scores from Max Hayman and Ryan Lomas to make it 19-3 at the break.

The fly-half was again on target after Nile Dacres bagged his first for the club a minute into the second period, but Lions responded quickly as Bouchier converted an Aaron Pope try before George Pearson crossed.

Rams got back on track with seven-pointers from Tomek Pozniak and Kalling-Smith, Lions refusing to lie down as Pope doubled his tally before Tom Threlfall bisected the uprights for 40-22.

Clow went over on 69 and 75 minutes to help breach the half-century, Honey continuing his good form with the boot, albeit Leicester had the last word and snatched a try bonus thanks to Isaac Thompson.