And They're Off ...
Wrong event, mate!
By Tony Jenkins
November 28 2008
This Saturday it's another long trip down the M1 for the Tykes. This time the destination is Berkshire and the town of Newbury. Newbury is probably better know for battles and bypasses than it is for rugby, but it is rugby that takes the Tykes south. The Tykes are in town to take on the Newbury Blues.
Newbury are currently 14th in the National 1 league table with 14 points from their first 13 games. Under the rules we were playing to at the start of the season they would be five points clear of the drop zone and, given the records of Manchester and Otley so far, would be reasonably confident of survival. But since the RFU changed the rules Newbury are well and truly in the relegation mire, no fewer than 13 points adrift of Moseley.
The Tykes beat Moseley last week with some comfort so, on paper at least, the trip to Newbury is a banker for five points. But we've seen this season that teams raise their game when Leeds are in town so nothing can be taken for granted. Two of Newbury's wins this season have predictably been against the bottom two teams, Manchester and Otley, but the third was at home to Plymouth. Add to this that they got 20 points against Exeter (who got 37), and we have reasons to show them respect. They may well be smarting after last week's 62-5 drubbing in sunny Rotherham.
Newbury are another of the proper rugby clubs that the Tykes faithful have been able to visit this season. They've been around since 1924, and now run no fewer that 18 teams each weekend. Various financial woes, not least the hangover from the move to their new ground in 1996, mean that Newbury have one of the lowest playing budgets in National 1. A side that will be looking for an upset ...
As regards team selection, all appearances are that Leeds are able to pick from strength. At the back, it would be unkind to drop Jaffa after last week's heroics, although Hints could do with a run-out. Sauce looked a bit tired last week, so Wheels should get the nod to start. With Vicks and Biggsy still away playing Sevens, there's not much else to do with the backs. Big Mac is back from his American adventure, but seems likely to be given a week to recover. Rawlo is coming back from a slight injury, so Plug can keep his place, with Rawlo on the bench. Little Murph is due a start and Country may well get the chance to see if he can beat his fastest try record. Obviously there is also an opportunity to give some of the youngsters a run out, so we might expect to see the likes of Stretch getting a game.
Newbury have moved the kick-off time to 12 noon, presumably to allow supporters to watch the Wales game against Australia. This, along with the long trip, the Saturday kick-off, and the expected easy win will mean that Tykes supporters will be thin on the ground on Saturday. Assuming we can get through the racecourse traffic, can I suggest outside the club house at 11:50?
PT's Team for Newbury:
Jaffa; Hints, Shagger, Wheels, Stretch; the Good Doctor, Sharky; Fosi, Plug, Henry; Little Murph, Penders (c); Country, Shrek, Pudding.
Subs: Wine Gum, Rawlo, Inga, Kent/DP, Van Man, Sparky, Lee Blackett.
Waiting for the good times ...
..and waiting ....
... and waiting ...
PT
Waiting for the good times ...
..and waiting ....
... and waiting ...
Hmmm.........the home supporters will probably dip into this site to see what our thinking is on the game. Unfortunately they will encounter what, to them, is gibberish. Waiting for the good times ...
..and waiting ....
... and waiting ...
For the hordes of Newbury fans reading this site, this:
Jaffa; Hints, Sh@gger, Wheels, Stretch; the Good Doctor, Sharky; Fosi, Plug, Henry; Little Murph, Penders (c); Country, Shrek, Pudding.
Subs: Wine Gum, Rawlo, Inga, Kent/DP, Van Man, Sparky, Lee Blackett.
Translates as this:
Goodridge; Hinton, Hepworth, Barrow, Armstrong; di Bernado, Mathie; Pala'amo, Nilsen, McGee; Murphy, Pendlebury (c); Myall, Fourie, Oakley.
Subs: Gomez, Rawlinson, Lund, Clark/D Paul, Bedford, Welding, Blackett.
Whereas the actual team is on the offie site.
PT