Leeds Pipped in Headingley Thriller.
Forgot his kicking boots
By Bunjmeister
November 15 2010
Sale rolled across the Pennines for the not so eagerly awaited Lesser Valued Cup game at Headingley on Remembrance Sunday. The previous meeting just over 3 weeks ago was one of; if not the worst game E.S.P.N. has aired to the playing public since they started broadcasting the beautiful game. Leeds were desperate for their 1st win of the season in front of their long suffering fans. Sale however seemed to be happy fielding a weakened team to give their 2nd string a run out in this almost meaningless competition which has been playing 2nd fiddle to the Aviva Premiership for far too long now.
The minute's silence before the game was impeccably observed. The Sharks kicked off attacking the all but deserted western terrace. Possession was won and lost by both sides but it was Leeds who opened the scoring when Lewis Pratt slotted over a penalty in front of the posts after Sale were penalised for being off side. Leeds had a lot of the play in the following 10 minutes but their decision to play the clubs fitness conditioner, James Parks, as the starting hooker back fired as they went on to lose 3 lineouts in a row. Sale started to take the initiative and from a penalty deep in to Leeds's 20 Sean Cox, the visitors captain, seemed to stroll over with a well worked rolling maul. Matty James converted the extras and Sale took the lead, a lead they never relinquished.
Leeds then baffled the home fans by turning down chances of kickable penalties in exchange for attacking lineouts in the opponent's 22. All which resulted in losing the lineouts and the chances went begging. Marco Wentzel then was introduced as an unlucky James Craig was taken off with an injury. How Leeds missed their regular skipper but most of us probably would have preferred his being rested for the big game in the beautiful south next weekend. Then on 26 minutes came the game's big turning point as Sale's wing, Rhys Craig, was gifted possession in the midfield by Leeds's conditioner again and he raced over under the sticks for their 2nd try which James duly converted to take Sale out to 14-3.
The home side were now chasing yet another home game but had chance to reduce the arrears on the half hour when Lewis Pratt lined up a very kickable penalty on Sale's 22 to which he pulled to the left then after good work from Fury and Wackett down the blind side Leeds were then awarded another straight forward 3 pointer from an even easier position but incredibly Lewis Pratt missed again and the groans of disbelief from the Leeds's fans could be heard as far afield as the Sky Rack. Then to rub salt in to the wounds James showed everyone how easy the art of place kicking really was by converting a penalty with 3 minutes of the half left. Oranges were taken with the score line looking a little one sided at Leeds 3 Sale 17.
Whatever Messrs. Back and Key said to their beleaguered troops during the interval paid dividends with Leeds taking the game to the visitors from the start and with a proper hooker now on in the shape of Phil Nilson the team looked more balanced and capable of winning more set piece plays and retaining possession. Scott Barrow, who was starting captain, led by example and after a good touch finding kick was amazed when the Sale winger trying to get on with it, threw a suicide pass inside to Will Addison who's resulting clearance was charged down by "wheels" who crashed over the line to give the Leeds fly half yet another easy kick in front of the uprights. CLP duly obliged but only just as a Sale player was a yard away from charging his attempt down which would have been the icing on the cake for all the Tykes in the crowd. Sale looked a little rattled and they kicked the resulting restart straight in to touch (Lex Burrell-esque) Leeds now seemed to show some belief and changes were being made in personnel. Phil Swainston was already on in the front row replacing Juan Gomez and was joined by "Ginger Tom" Denton with Danny Paul being replaced. In the 55th minute Mathie came on for Fury and Alonso replaced Denman now there was only 1 team in it that was until the referee Mr. Wigglesworth awarded Sale a penalty after a reset scrum. This looked a little harsh to say the least and when a Leeds's player questioned his astonishing decision the team were marched back another 10 yards which didn't bother Matty James who made it 4 from 4 and Sale now led 20-10 with 20 minutes left. Play went back up the other end again but Leeds just couldn't get over and a series of costly mistakes meant the score stayed the same until the visitors were awarded another penalty after 65 which the immaculate James kicked again to leave Leeds having to climb yet another mountain.
Ceiron Thomas had replaced Lewis Pratt and looked straight away to cement his place back in the team. Leeds who were still knocking on the door then produced the best moment of the game when they made a beautiful break, supported by the ever willing Wackett and Mr Reliable Blackett, Mathie went under the posts for the finest Leeds try seen in LS 6 this season. Oh how the crowd enjoyed it and it left Thomas with the easiest conversion and Leeds were in bonus point territory at 23-17. Gomez returned to the fray as young Phil Swainston went off worryingly clutching his troublesome wrist let’s hope he is fit for next week.
Leeds threw everything at the Sharks but as much as they tried they couldn't break down Sale's defence and the game ended with a dubious deliberate knock on which looked from our position as the clearest penalty of the afternoon but like the rest of the season the referee and the linesman seemed to ignore it.
So that was that, Sale just about deserved to win and yet again showed us the importance of having a kicker who kicks goals. Leeds played well in the second half and have come away with nothing again. Some good performances were put in by Lee Blackett, Michael Stephenson and Pete Wackett in the backs and Rhys Oakley and Daniel Browne shone throughout up front however my man of the match was stand in captain Scott Barrow who indicated to me that he surely must start next week. He actually kicked for field position something we haven't seen enough of this season. Two big worries came out of today however which were more injuries in key positions and more alarmingly the form of our stand offs who seem both lacking in confidence. Ladies and Gentlemen I think we are in for a long hard winter but hope springs eternal and fortune favours the brave.
Comedy moment ; The sporadic fighting that broke out in the 2nd half in front of the south stand
Champagne moment ; Leeds's 2nd try with the best move of the match
Positives ; The 2nd half performance
Negatives ; Place kicking and not having a recognised replacement hooker
Crowd ; 3082
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Quote:Bobba
Good report, not quite sure about the "thriller" tag though.
I was thrilled, hence.....
We were winning a match, (for a while.)
We scored two tries.
That's progress isn't it................?
Onwards and upwards
Up the Carnegie TYKES !