Match Preview: Powergen Cup Clash at the Stoop

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By apb on 19/12/2002
December 19 2002

Coming off the back of a disappointing exit from the Parker Pen, Leeds will want to get back to winning ways this weekend in the match against the Quins.

Its been a worrying few weeks for the Leeds fans. We've not had a win now for four games on the bounce, and the once jubilant crowds are beginning to think that perhaps its not all plain sailing to the end of the season just yet. Trust me, the Quins will be ready for us, and will want to extend our losing streak.

But there were positives from last weeks game at Headingley. A breakneck start to the game saw the lads make up almost all the deficit from the match at Sardis Road in the first ten minutes, and had Gavin Kerr's sprint for the line in the second half been justly rewarded, things could have been very different. As it was, the lads' heads went down a bit and went down in the tie with a draw at 19-all.

The good news for this week is that both Win Stanley and Alix Popham are eligible for the Powergen Cup clash at the Stoop, and even better news is that Mark Regan, Cammie Mather and Mike Shelley are all back in action. Like many props, Shelley's contribution to the team's performance often goes unremarked - he's quitely efficient and does the solid grinding work expected of him. So the matches against Ponty really showed up what the Tykes owe this man of steel. He brings great qualities to the pack, and his captaincy is also measured and assured. We will be looking forward to a return to winning ways.

This week also sees the inclusion of the new signing from London Irish, Doug Wheatley. Doug has been brought in as cover for the front row, and of course, the Ponty match showed us that that is cover we really need.

Surprise omissions from the squad are Gavin Kerr and Diego Albanese. Kerr had an excellent game last week, and Diego should always expect to be in the team when not on duty for Argentina. No news of injuries to these two players has been forthcoming, so I can only assume they're being rested for the upcoming ZP match at Sarries.

Trying to stop us will be a Quins team who have also dropped out of European competition. At the time of writing the Quins team hasn't been published yet, but be sure there'll be plenty for the "Larndern" folk to shout about if their boys get up a head of steam, so I think its vital for the Tykes to start as they did last week, and to continue that way until the eighty-plus minutes is over.

In the middle will be Mr. Steve Lander, a referee who is generally well regarded, liked and trusted to ensure that a good, fair, flowing game will ensue. The Quins are particularly fond of having the pleasure of Mr. Lander's company as often as they can persuade the Referee's Comittee to appoint him for their games. [honk- tweet-yibble-yibble, hic!]

The ingredients are there for a corking performance from the Leeds boys. They should be fired up and raring to go.

My prediction: A high scoring thriller. Scabs gets two, Win Stanley also gets a brace on his full debut, and Chris Hall comes from the bench to get his name on the scoresheet this week as well. BVS at long last gets back to the very top of his game (that's right, my Southern friends, he's not been firing on all cylinders just lately...), and converts everything and kicks another 12 points of his own.

Match Result: 28 - 47

Sorted.

COME ON YOU TYKES!!!

Tykes Team:

15. Dan Scarbrough
14. Winston Stanley
13. Tristan Davies
12. Braam van Straaten
11. Craig Emmerson
10. Gordon Ross
9. Derek Hegarty
1. Mike Shelley (c)
2. Mark Regan
3. Matt Holt
4. Stewart Campbell
5. Tom Palmer
6. Cameron Mather
7. Dan Hyde
8. Isaac Feaunati

16. Doug Wheatley
17. Rob Rawlinson
18. Phil Murphy
19. Alix Popham
20. Carl Hogg
21. Alan Dickens
22. Chris Hall

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