Budgies Perch above Careless Carnegie
Sadly missed
By Haxbytyke
February 28 2011
Leeds Carnegie missed the chance to climb of the bottom of the Aviva Premiership when they turned in a shocking display in front of the TV cameras at Headingley. Newcastle were poor, but on the day, better than Leeds, and on this display it will now take nothing short of sensational for our heroes to avoid relegation.It was easy to see why these two teams are at the bottom of the pile as mistake followed mistake, but the home side were the major culprits, and they provided the visitors with the penalties which were to prove decisive.
Leeds started brightly forcing the Falcons onto the back foot, but the visitors weathered the storm, and from their first foray into Leeds territory they created space down the short side for Ally Hogg to just beat Thomas’ despairing tackle to cross in the corner.
Leeds weren’t deterred and took the game to the visitors, but too often they ran across field, before either dropping the ball, or being turned over. With half time approaching Leeds won a scrum near half way, only for Fury to fire out a pass straight to James Hudson who found himself in acres of space. Even he was taken by surprise, and Leeds snuffed out the danger at the expense of a scrum. The respite was temporary, Leeds infringed in the set piece and from 45 yards, Gopperth said ‘thank you very much’ and added three more points with just a minute to the break. Leeds hit back, and as the clock ran past 40 minutes Scott Barrow kicked into Newcastle territory. The ball crossed the line, to give the Falcons a 22 drop out. Gopperth kicked deep into Leeds half, but instead of putting the ball into touch, Stephenson and Thomas got into a mess and conceded a penalty for crossing. Again Gopperth did the business, and Newcastle were 11 points to the good come the interval.
If we expected Leeds to come out for the second half with fire in their bellies, we were mistaken. Another penalty at the scrum gave Gopperth another 3 points, and shortly after this he repeated the trick as Leeds scrum once again fell foul of the referee.
Territorially, Leeds probably had the edge, and they should have had a way back into the game on 58 minutes when Mackay made a good break, and Falcons hooker Matt Thompson was yellow carded for deliberately killing the ball. Leeds chose to take the scrum instead of the three points, but it came to nothing when Mathie dropped the ball in the shadow of the posts. When Newcastle did get hold of the ball they were content to kick into the Leeds half, knowing full well Leeds lacked the skill to break them down. Play was scrappy with both sides treating the ball like a hot potato, but eventually Leeds did get on the scoreboard when Scott Freer emerged from beneath a forwards drive to the line. Jarvis missed the kick. Mathie and Denman made good breaks for Leeds, but without support, and 4 minutes from time, Leeds passed the ball across their own try line, and when Mackay kicked forward, Newcastle ran it back to them and Alex Tait crossed in the corner to seal the victory.
It was easy to see why these two teams are propping the league up, and although Leeds can play better than they did today, the table doesn’t lie, and they are now running out of opportunities to close the gap.
A crowd of 5,110 saw Alfie To’oala deservedly pick up the hosts man of the match award, and special mention to Peter Wackett, who was drafted in at the last minute and showed up well in defence and attack.
The line out was poor today, and the scrum conceded too many penalty kicks in their own half of the field. Some of the passing, and catching was shocking, and some of the decision making poor at best. So well done to the Budgies, worthy winners, but Leeds must not give up yet, there are still 8 games to go.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
We were rubbish! Unfortunately, in my view it started with the team selection. No Gomez in what was clearly going to be a forwards contest, no Jarvis for the kicking contest, which didn't come as the Budgies didn't give much away.
Budgies, although poor, were infinately better than we were. They had shape, didn't drop the ball much, didn't pass into open space or give suicide passes,they didn't miss tackles and they ran straight up the pitch, instead of sideways, as we did.
Other than Alfie who had a superb game! Had we had fifteen Alfies on the field, we would have destroyed the Budgies.
The rest of the season is probably going to be difficult watching. Far more of our faithful left before the end than I have ever seen before. A sad day for us.
However, as ever, up the Carnegie TYKES !
Falcons weren't great, but I thought they were professional and organised in defence; I doubt they expected to have such an easy game.
I cannot see us staying up a tall now, sorry to be negative but thats the way it looks unfortunatly.
Im just GUTTED.
Pain is only temporary but victory is forever
Highlight for me was a Captain leading by example.James Hudson, with no one to beat and the try line beconing, getting lost on the way. Had to chuckle at that one.
The low. Cheering the subtitution of CT. Surely as fans we are better than that? Difficult for CT to know if he is supposed to be a no 15 or no 10. That is down to team management not CT. Not surprised the lad had a bad game. Now let's get off his back.