Strange Days Have Found Us
By Yevadia Chips
March 6 2011
Leeds going down? You're having a laugh! The Tykes put in a solid shift at the coalface this afternoon and, despite some quite bizarre adjudications that went against them, found the inner strength and discipline to overcome all obstacles and record their second win of the season.
The game started badly for Leeds with penalties and free kicks being awarded to the visitors left right and centre. Their kicker took advantage and the scoreboard was soon ticking along nicely. In this period, when Leeds struggled to get/keep the ball Wentzel went off injured and was replaced by Hoeneck. The Exiles scored a good try after some sustained pressure and I got the familiar feeling that the game was already slipping away from us. Then we had a moment of inspiration from Jarvis at 10. On one of our rare visits to the Irish half he picked out Burrell with a precision crosskick which the centre caught and crashed over for the try. Jarvis then added the extras and the lads were back in the game albeit 10-16 down at the interval.
Shortly after the restart the Irish dropped a goal to make it 19-10. After 50 minutes it was time for the Backmeister to play his joker. Well 2 jokers actually. On came MacDonald and Gomez to replace the smaller Hardy and Swainston. In no time at all the Exiles' scrum was on the backfoot and the Leeds pack, ably led by the indominatable Thompson, started to turn the screw on the tiring visitors. In a period of pressure Dan Browne, so often anonymous in the pack, stretched out to score a try by the posts. Jarvis, who was by now dictating the play with a masterclass in kicking from hand, added the extras and Leeds looked like a team on a mission (to win). The third try was again forged by the brute strength of the forwards as MacDonald hit the line from close range. 24-19 to the Tykes! What a turn around! Jarvis kicked a penalty to put Leeds 2 scores in front and the Irish looked beaten.
Special mention to Sean Hoeneck who gave a good account of himself after he came on. Fourie was Titanic, as always and Scott Mathie had one of his best games, eclipsing England hopeful Hodgson. Jarvis looked assured with ball in hand and his place kicks were a vital contribution to the victory.
What now for Leeds? Well a win next week against the Saints would open up a whole new relegation battle with Sale and the Falcons. Strange days indeed.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:03:07:08:37:14 by SoopaDoopaLeeds.
What a pleasure it is to see kicks going between the sticks.
I used to love seeing Andre dump tackling forwards.. but today we saw our boys throw the Irish pack around like rag dolls in the second half. Unforgettable.
was a cracking atmosphere too, despite the attendance. really looking forward to saints on saturday, with more of the same hopefully.
On the basis of our experience of Northampton yesterday their front row has blown, their backs lack direction and penetration, Myler will kick anything you give him and Easter needs watching like a hawk. Otherwise they lack confidence, direction and any conceivable plan B. If you play with speed and precision you will beat them. A slow game, dropped passes and wayward kicking will hand them a lifeline that they will take - the only times they threatened yesterday were off our mistakes.
Good Luck and thanks for downing the not nots if we can roll them over next game we could even be on target for a play-off place, Strange Days indeed and not just at Headingley, (and to continue the references the Music is not Over and it is definitely not The End though there may be some Storm Riding to do).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:03:07:09:40:21 by Exeforever.
So good I read it twice