The game did not start well for the Lions. Plymouth kicked off long and the ball went in to the dead ball area which was grounded by Luke Bouchier. Although the law states that (because it was direct from a kick off) it should have been a scrum back on half way, the referee awarded a goal line drop out which was then kicked out on the full by Bouchier. Plymouth moved the ball wide from the 5 metre scrum and winger Craig Duncan scored in the corner to give the visitors a dream start. (0-5)

The Lions responded well though, and dominated the first quarter, but resolute Plymouth defence repeatedly kept them out. It took until the half hour mark for the home side to draw level when Olly Taylor converted a driving lineout. (5-5)

The away side were back in the lead shortly afterwards though when, following a catch and drive, the big Plymouth pack rumbled on via a number of pick and go carries. Scrum half Morgan Stone then darted from the base and found the impressive Ben Moa who crashed over. Putt converting. (5-12)

The Lions responded quickly again though and more pressure led to a yellow card for Stone. From the resulting scrum the excellent Charlie Bemand made the most of not having an opposite number by scooting and finding Jake Sterland with a lovely ball over the top for the winger to score in the corner and reduce the deficit to just two points at half time. (10-12)

With neither side wanting to give an inch, tempers flared just after half-time and both Jordan Tebbatt and Jake Clemson saw yellow for their part in a fracas between the sides.

It was the Lions who made the most of this period and when Luke Bouchier made a break on half way from a scrum move he found the flying Mali Satala in support to score the try of the day. Bouchier then hit the touchline conversion the give the home side a 5 point lead. (17-12)

This lead was quickly cancelled out though when Plymouth scored from a driving maul. Rhys Williams profiting from his packs good work. (17-17)

With the scores locked at 17-17 Plymouth opted to go for goal following a high tackle penalty with 10 minutes to go and it was dispatched by Tom Putt. (17-20)

The Lions worked their way in to the Plymouth 22 at the end of the contest but were unable to find the winner from the 5 metre lineout when, agonisingly for the home supporters, Charlie Bemand was adjudged to have knocked on at the base with the last play.

Head coach Gareth Collins commented: ''I thought we were excellent today so it's a really tough one to take. Against a big and physical Plymouth pack I thought our young lads did really well. We dominated the game and deserved to win but unfortunately didn't take our opportunities. We've put two back-to-back good performances together against two top sides so we'll move forward with confidence that results will come.''