Leeds edge out Bristol in close but dull game

All 12 points
By Duncan Wood
February 2 2003

This was a very poor game, a litany of mistakes and determined defence. Leeds deserve to take the spoils but Bristol's cause wasn't helped by an inconsistent refereeing display even by Steve Lander's usual standards.

Bristol chose to play with a gale blowing at their backs in the first half and quickly set up camp in the Leeds half.

However, they very quickly became aware that the Tykes team contains some big strong blokes who aren't afraid to put in the hits and who are very well drilled in defence.

Despite the wet conditions, Bristol tried to move the ball about and although Felipe Contepomi dragged an early penalty attempt left, he was succesfull with another effort after 8 minutes.

He missed again after 12 minutes and Bristol were made to regret not turning pressure into points when Andrew Higgins was turned over on the Tykes' 22. Some smart ball handling got them into the Bristol 22 and a series of attacking scrums resulted.

After several scrums went to ground, referee Lander incensed the home crowd by awarding a penalty try after 26 minutes. Braam van Straaten added the conversion to make it 3-7.

Contepomi nailed a penalty after 32 minutes to narrow the gap to 6-7 before referee Lander took centre stage again.

The Shoguns tried to break from their 22 through Agustin Pichot but Lander gave a forward pass that no-one else in the stadium could see. He then missed a Tykes knock on as they moved the ball left and, when they recycled possession right, Isaac Feaunati brushed aside Jamie Williams and wriggled over. Van Straaten's touchline conversion was superb to make it 6-14.

Bristol came straight back and Williams and David Rees both made great breaks. Scott Morgan stole vital lineout ball and a penalty was awarded. A quick tap was taken and Paul Johnstone dived over in the corner. Lander awarded the try but disallowed it on the advice of the touch judge who said the hooker had put a foot in touch.

Contepomi eventually kicked his third penalty to make it 9-14 at half time although I thought he'd missed it!

Bristol must have had a rollocking at half time as they came out for the second half fired up but van Straaten had the first chance of the second half but dragged his kick wide.

Despite playing into the elements, Bristol had a good phase of possession and Daryl Gibson looked as though he'd been put in at the corner by Felipe Contepomi. However, Dan Scarborough put his body on the line and took the Kiwi into touch and needed lengthy medical treatment as a result. His hit epitomised the Leeds defensive effort.

On 47 minutes, Contepomi landed his 4th penalty to make it 12-14 but it was to be the final score for Bristol.

The turning point was on the hour. Scott Benton first missed Gordon Ross and then van Straaten with his passes to concede a 5 metre scrum. Bristol dug in but Benton appeared to steal the ball from the base of the Shoguns scrum. Lander saw nothing wrong and Leeds cleared downfield.

A few phases later, Ross dropped a neat goal with his left foot after he'd been closed down on his preferred right foot.

That score shattered Bristol and, although they tried to move the ball from everywhere, the error rate was simply too high and Ross rolled several kicks deep into the Bristol 22 to keep them at the wrong end of hte pitch as time ran out.

A desperately disappointing day. After Leeds went in front, we looked short of inspiration and turned over far too much ball.

There were plus points. Gus was excellent and provided some much needed spark and the lineout jumpers stole the show.

However, we just couldn't hold onto the ball and wasted the wind advantage.

Leeds didn't. They scored on their brief sorties into the Bristol 22 and then defended superbly. They gave us a bit of a lesson.