Leeds Carnegie 16 Newcastle Falcons 15
Record breaker!!!
By Richard Cundall
March 22 2008
A swirling Artic wind welcomed Newcastle Falcons to Headingley Carnegie last night. The Falcons,experiencing their own demons within the team setup welcomed back the cavalry who had been on international duty for England. Whatever Leeds' fate this season they will leave their mark on the G.P by scoring within 8.2 seconds of the start.
With the wind at his back a perfect Di Bernardo kick was ignored by the Falcons defence,the lateral bounce found it's way to Blackett who sprinted between the posts for the record breaking try.
The Falcons woke up and targeting the inside channels, powerful forward play led by Haymans and Ward saw them move relentlessly up field. Whenever the ball was moved to the backs it was run back to the forwards who recycled quickly. Despite good tackling Leeds were soon camped in their own 22 and a strong pirouette from Wilkinson saw him evade Satalas tackle, and with the tricky conversion missed, the score was 7-5. Further strong forward play caused a collapsed scrum and the Falcons led 8-7.
Leeds are learning the hard way and whereeas in the past they have often conceded penalties tonight they kept their heads and it was the Falcons that made the mistakes. Leeds kicked for the most part sensibly but they came closest to scoring when Hinton joined the line ,made a good break,off loaded to Biggs who had the ball knocked from his hands with the try line beckoning.
It was the Falcons who were now forced to defend and cracks started to appear in the forwards at the set piece. 2 penalties were conceded which Di Bernado converted to take the score to 13-8 at half time.
To seasoned Leeds watchers the consensus was with the wind in their faces in the 2nd half the lead would not be enough, and yet again, with the wretched 2nd half performance against Bristol fresh in the memory, it would be the opposistion who troubled the scoreboard.
The forwards silenced the doubters and from the restart drove into the Falcons. Biggs again created something from nothing and was only brought to ground by Wilkinson's last chance tackle. Storming forward runs caused the Falcons to concede a further converted penalty. At 16-8 the faithful were starting to dream and with Wilkinson oddly not opting to use the wind and kick for territory it was left to the Falcon's forwards to add the points. A kickable penalty was spurned and from the chosen scrum Carl Haymans scored. Wilkinson converted and Leeds stood one point ahead.
On the back of a gruelling game last Sunday the injury tally began to mount and when MacDonald went off there were no more front row substitutes. Scrums became uncontested and this played into Leed's hands with less than 10 minutes to go. Sensible pick and drives took them into the Falcon's 22 and when they did eventually knock on, it left the opposition no time to mount a serious challenge.
The 8900 crowd saw G.P rugby at it's best and the powers that be must have looked on and thought 'This is what we planned for Headingley Carnegie'. Sadly although it is not impossible to avoid relegation, it is a little too late and foundations need to be laid now for 2 years time. The learning curve has been a little too steep but last night the team showed it can compete in the G.P . There was outstanding work from MacDonald,Fourie,Myall,Blackett and the Bath bound Hooper and it was only Satala who looked out of his depth in the company of the 5 internationals in the opposition team.
Very enjoyable game to witness live and got better when I watched the recording courtesy of Sky + (just to check I wasn't dreaming!)
I fear your comment re Apo may be accurate: he had some good touches though, and I reckon that once he starts to believe in his ability/strength to run through tackles and around players in the more cramped spaces available in the XV-man game, he will start to show/play to his potential
looking forward to the Premiership next Season already...!
Satala has me pulling my hair out, we know that he isn't the fastest guy in the world but he doesnt follow up kicks well. He just jogs up putting no pressure on the defender. He has got good balance but he just isn't looking good enough, plus for someone of his size his tackling is average, hopefully he will prove me wrong. Maybe it is worth bringing Hughes/Armstrong etc in for something pace.
Finally, well done guys for a great game and the passion and effort you put in!
Leeds were facing the Worlds best prop, 4 first choice England backs and a solid core of GP experience. Also facing a force 9 gale.
Subtle difference.
Agree that Falcon's indifference to the game cost them dear, our half-time talk was as to how many points we'd ship.
Makes our display all the more pleasing, IMHO.
He actually could be so more effective if he really chased downed balls rather than just jogging after them half heartidly.
But still, hes a good player, I like him, just needs to use the pase that we all know he has.
Granted, it wasnt GP quality, in fact it was a bit rubbish. But, I got my moneys worth in terms of excitment, not the usual depression on a Sunday evening, and a win is a win, no matter how small a chance we have at staying up, weve been given a life line now to need to really prove ourselves.
Suffering on the Leeds and Yorkshire roller-coaster since 2001
In his absenc the other wing berth is a choice between Holtby and Satala. I think Holtby is more consistent and works harder...Satala is perhaps more likely to produce a moment of magic but doesnt do enough work for my liking and tends to make a few more errors.
I think he is originally a back rower and has played at centre at times...