Leeds just edged out in Headingley downpour.

First choice in my book.
By Haxbytyke
February 13 2011

Leeds Carnegie collected another bonus point, albeit a losing one in an absorbing contest at Headingley. In many ways the game was lost in the first 15 minutes as Leeds started slowly and was pinned in their own 22. A late challenge from Oakley from the kick off, gave the Tigers a foothold in the hosts 22, and when Thomas put a poor kick to touch, Tigers spun the ball across field and Manu Tuilagi brushed off some weak tackling to score midway between the posts and the corner flag. Staunton converted and with only 3 minutes gone, it looked like a long hard afternoon lay in store.

The hosts could not break from their 22, and were being pushed all around Headingley. It was no surprise, when with 14 minutes showing on the clock, Staunton extended the visitors lead, with a penalty, a lead he should have increased shortly after but this time his attempted penalty kick drifted wide of the posts.

Leeds eventually won some possession, and Barrow kicked into the visitors 22 to at last give the hosts a foothold in opposition territory.

With 28 minutes on the clock, new signing Adrian Jarvis made his Leeds debut, replacing the injured Thomas, and he didn’t have to wait long to make an impression. Leeds won a penalty 40 meters from the posts, but with his first kick in Leeds’ colours, Jarvis’ attempt hit the post. However, Leicester made a mess of clearing the ball and conceded another penalty straight in front of the posts, and Jarvis struck his first points in a Leeds shirt.

The hosts immediately made two changes, Phil Swainston had had a torrid time in the scrum, and he was replaced by Juan Gomez, while Tom Denton picked up an injury and he was replaced by James Craig.

With the half drawing to a close, Leeds were now coming into the game, and they reduced the deficit when Jarvis landed a 40 metre penalty to give a half time score of 10 points to 6 in favour of the visitors.

Mike MacDonald joined the fray as the teams returned for the second half, Suddenly Leeds had equality in the scrum, and the pack produced a tremendous 40 yard rolling maul which ended with Tigers conceding a penalty which Jarvis slotted home to reduce the deficit to a single point. There was little to choose between the sides now, but with an hour on the clock, Tigers gained possession in the Leeds half and spun the ball across field. The hosts’ defence was stretched and aided by a couple of weak tackles, Alesana Tuilagi crossed by the corner flag. Staunton’s attempted conversion struck the post, but with 20 minutes remaining, Leeds were still within a converted score of their illustrious visitors. Roared on by the crowd, Leeds surged forward, but once again, a contentious refereeing decision may well have killed Leeds’ hopes of winning the game. A skirmish on the far side of the field brought howls of disapproval from the home fans. Mr. Doyle, (who in my opinion was as good as any whistler we have had at Headingley this season), pulled out Tuilagi senior, another Tiger, and Marco Wentzel. Unfortunately, after speaking to his assistant, (do they actually assist, or just make up the numbers), the whistler decided to send Twiggy and Marco for a ten minute breather. Mathie and Burrell replaced Fury and Fa’afili.

Play was getting scrappy, but it was exciting with the scores so close.

Leeds put themselves under pressure when Stephenson collected a kick deep in his own 22, but when he passed to Hinton, the full back was forced into an error, and Leeds were once again under pressure. However, a Leicester knock on enabled Leeds to clear their lines, and with 10 minutes or so to go, Leeds almost scored Mathie created room for Burrell to sprint through, but as the home faithful began to celebrate, Luther was hauled down short of the line. The hosts were applying pressure, but twice they conceded penalties when they had the put in to scrums close to the visitor’s line.

Leeds had a bit more defending to do, but they cleared the danger, and the losing bonus point they take from today, narrows the gap on the Falcons to 3 points.

After being completely outplayed for the first 20 minutes Leeds fought back well today, and in my opinion would have beaten lesser sides than Tigers

A crowd of 6,762 watched the match, and though it may not have been a classic, it was absorbing to the end as the rain drove down, and both sides fought for supremacy.

Alfie To’oala won the sponsors bubbly, but it must have been close as a number of Leeds’ players played well today. Debutant, Adrian Jarvis, looks to be a useful kicker, and if he can kick consistently he will have a big say in how we finish the season. James Craig was on earlier than he would have anticipated, but he didn’t look out of place and Michael Stephenson had, in my opinion, his best game yet in a Leeds jersey. However, I’m sharing my bubbly with Phil Nilsen for another tireless display from our ‘third’ choice number 2. He once again looked far better than his international opponent. Well played Phil.

So next week a few of us make the trip to Watford, to see our heroes take on Saracens. I understand Shrek and Thommo may be available to bolster our squad, and that can only be a massive bonus. Let us hope that next week at this time, I’m reporting another good performance, hopefully ending with a win.

Leeds just edged out in Headingley downpour.

Posted by: TykesRugby.co.uk (IP Logged)

Date: 13/02/2011 21:02

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