Match Preview: Leeds Tykes v Bristol Shoguns

Thoughtful fans?
By Oopnorth 02/10/2002
October 4 2002

What do Tykes and Shoguns supporters have in common? Some will point to the recent muggings of the Tabbycats by both sides, with Tykes turning over the most fearsome club pack ever to be assembled in the Northern Hemisphere in their opening game, and then Shoguns showing how to do it with 14 men.

Enough of the new season's whipping boys and back to the topic of Headingley on Sunday.

No, the chief thing both sets of fans will be interested in is how this game will go and what it might reveal about the rest of the season ahead. It is a difficult one to read. Tykes began the season in great style but the players themselves agree that their last away performance at Falcons was sluggish, and the Sharks were let off the hook in the last home game. Meanwhile Shoguns had endured a miserable start before recording their first win last week, and they will want to build on that to get back to the form they showed in making the Zurich Championship Final at Twickenham last year.

Looking back at last season's games the contests were unusual. At home Shoguns sparkled in the first half only to take their foot off the gas in the second and allow us a close losing margin 29-34, and the opportunity to score four tries in a game - a feat seldom, if at all, achieved in any other game last year. Then back at Headingley in February we were expecting a close contest and real problems from the Shoguns pack which had been going well. In the event Tykes played some of their best aggressive defence to push back the Shoguns most of the afternoon and run out clear winners 24-6.

Press reports suggest that the shape of the Shoguns game remains the same with a big bruising pack looking to secure plenty of ball and the half backs pushing the team forward. They also have the reliable boot of Contepomi to punish any Tykes misdemeanors. Meanwhile the Tykes pack have proved solid and competitive up front and at home should match the Shoguns eight. Re-establishing effectiveness in the line out will have been the Tykes main training aim this week, and getting the back line moving as sweetly as it did in much of the first four games.

Looking to control the lineout once more...

Some of the head to heads look appetising. Tom Palmer will be looking to leap ahead of Garath Archer in the England pecking order. The Tykes front row will be determined to profit from the absence of England prop Julian White. Braam will be matched against another quality kicker, and the Tykes half backs will be seeking to match the sniping of Pinchot and the positional play of Contepomi. Out wide Shoguns also have speed in the shape of Phil Christophers and David Rees so the Tykes back line will need to be on their guard. Highly regarded are also exciting young talents Andrew Sheridan and Alex Brown.

Add to that the potential for a bit of argy-bargy between Diego and his Shoguns compatriots, especially when he learns they each have dedicated web sites and he hasn't yet. and it all suggests a great game in prospect.

Hopefully the Tykes improving level of support at home will continue and as we are not yet in the depths of winter plenty of Shoguns fans will fancy a first trip to Headingley. Meanwhile ever increasing numbers of Tykes shirts will gather and chant as MarriedAL4Betty will be back to lead the fray.

Will we see some changes in the Tykes line up to reinvigorate the side? Who knows ? Stuart Campbell looked like he was champing at the bit for a good run at Kingston Park - perhaps it is time to see more of what he can offer ? Is Scotty fit enough at least for the bench ? Was George carrying an injury and in need of a rest ? Maybe a bit more back row speed can come from Ponton ?

Bring on the game. Welcome Bristolians. And COME ON YOU TYKES !