Depressing Result But Encouraging Signs for Tykes
Botham's first start
By Tukey on 22/09/2003
September 22 2003
On another balmy sunny day Leeds Tykes travelled to the Causeway Stadium to play at Premiership Champions London Wasps. Both sides having lost their previous weeks matches meant that both teams needed to get their seasons back on track.
First Half
Wasps were at full strength missing only those on world cup duty, whist Tykes were missing six also on world cup duty and another 1/2 dozen or so out injured. The first twenty minutes of the match was all Wasps with Tykes having to defend their line from sustained attack and only a try saving tackle from David Rees stopped Wasps scoring in the far corner. During this phase of play Alan Dickens was replaced by Mark Chester, who under the circumstances, had a reasonably good game. The first up tackling from Tykes was good and they seamed eager. However, it wasn't long before the pressure told and they gave away the first of 14 first half penalties. Van Gisbergen took the points from in front of the posts.
Van Gisbergen kicked another two of the 14 Tyke penalties, and it looked like Wasps would go in at half time with a 9-point lead. However, the Tykes put some good phases of play together, getting behind the Wasps defence. Liam Botham, making his first full start took an excellent line onto a Duncan Hodge pass and split the Wasps defender, Dan Scarbrough appeared on his shoulder and raced to the line. Hodge converted the try. This passage of play seamed to spur the Tykes on and another good phase late into stoppage time saw Scarbrough go close after another run from Phil Christophers. It was Wasps turn to infringe this time and the resulting Hodge penalty hit the up-rights, Rob Rawlinson was the quickest to react securing the ball which was recycled to the backs but Botham knocked on missing out on a certain try. At half time the score was 9-7.
Half-Time Interval
The half time entertainment was enjoyable, to say the least. The kicking competition was won by yours truly and a box of Abbot Ale is safely in my fridge.
Second Half
In the second half Tykes came out determined and with purpose. After the Wasps kick off went straight in to touch, Tykes opted for the scrum, after a good phase of play, they were attacking in the Wasps 22 when a loose pass was intercepted by Rob Howley, who raced 60 meters to score. After this the Tykes heads seamed to drop. Van Gisbergen added another penalty and converted his own try, making his points total of the day 23. Tim Walsh was introduced and this seamed to spark the Tykes but all they could muster was a penalty from Walsh. Christopers was twice in the clear with only the line to beat; however Steve Lander, the ref, decided that on both occasions the passes were forward. A late penalty taken quickly by replacement Wasps scrum half, Richards, caught Tykes 'napping' and he went over in the corner. The final score was 33 - 10.
An Opinion
In general the Tykes forwards played better than the previous week. The line out functioned well and we even stole one of theirs. The scrums held out until the final minutes which was encouraging. In the loose the forwards seamed 'laboured' and there was no urgency to get to the break downs or re-starts. Perhaps with the competition for places not as fierce as it should be given the injuries, 'fit' players are getting complacent. Scarbrough missed some very easy tackles, he was left grasping at air on a few occasions.
There were some plus points; Matt Cardy played well and took a lot of high balls that Wasps peppered him with. He gained good distance with his kicks and looked confident with his counter attack running. Christopers looked dangerous with the ball in hand when he was in space. If I am to be critical, we still need a powerful, tackle-breaking, centre. There is still a lot for Phil Davies and his team to work on. Hopefully by Friday they will have sorted it out, to lose against Rotherham would be unthinkable.......