LIONS' coach Paul Kidd was happy with his team's performance in a very testing friendly at the Willows.

"There were many positives today and the new players fitted into the side well, we have been in training now for a couple of months and have nearly completed the squad for next season, which is a huge change from this time last year when I only had a couple of players on the books," he said.

The Lions took the lead in the third minute when John Clough was penalised for ball stealing in front of his own posts and Ian Watson slotted over the simple goal attempt.

The Reds hit back five minutes later when Luke Robinson sent former Lion Karl Fitzpatrick over for a try by the posts, former Featherstone prop Stuart Dickens added the goal points.

Tim Jonkers had a try ruled out in the 13th minute when he was grounded on his back, and then the Lions had a good chance with a good passing move, but Chris Maye lost control of the ball in a good position.

The scores were level in the 16th minute when a good break by Lee Patterson down the right put the Lions in a good position, the ball moved across the line to Marlon Billy and he sent out a superb short pass to send Lee Marsh over for a debut try in the corner, but Watson could not add the difficult conversion.

The Reds hit back again with two quick tries in a three minute period; firstly Dickens went over by the posts after good build up by Neil Baynes, then Simon Baldwin sent Gareth Haggerty bursting over the line from close range and Dickens converted both.

Try of the match came six minutes from the break when the Lions former St Helens academy winger Stuart Oldham collected a loose ball on his own 20-metre line and completly out-paced Anthony Stewart in a foot race for the try line to score in the corner. Watson added the goal points to put the Lions back in the game.

Andy Coley added another Reds try on the stroke of half-time after some good build-up by Cliff Beverley, with Chris Charles adding the conversion points to give the home side a 12-point interval lead.

The Reds started strongly in the early stages of the second half, but some superb tackling by the Lions kept them out, indeed three times Reds players were held up over the try line.

The defence was finally breached in the 58th minute when Robinson got Stuart Littler over in the corner, but Charles could not add the goal points.

The Lions again came back strongly and Warren Ayres sent Chris Irwin in for a try in the corner, but Lee Marsh narrowly missed the touchline conversion as his kick bounced off the upright.

The final try came in the last minute of the game when Reds' substitute Mark Stevens went over by the posts and Fitzpatrick added the goal points.

The game was a good workout for both teams and both coaches seemed happy with what they had seen from the game.

Reds' coach Karl Harrison believes the Lions have a strong squad this season and should do well in both league and cup.

IAN RIGG