Hodgson kicks Leeds out of the Premiership!
Fifteen point haul.
By Headingley/Roundhay
March 26 2011
Capt Fantastic (Marco Wentzel) failing a 'late' fitness test was not welcome news prior to kick off, although, we 'worried not' as Thommo (Steve Thompson) was a more than adequate 'acting captain' and how he proved it!!
Sale Sharks came out 'hungry' and after just three minutes we were 'playing catch up' when penalised for offside at the ruck and Charlie Hodgson made no mistake with his 'trusted' boot!!
3 - 0 down 'early on' and it was it going to be 'old old story'? In a word, No. The Leeds pack were immense and spoilt at every opportunity in the first '40'!!
It seemed to spark us into life and following Mathie missed out two men to find Daniel Browne. The big second row broke through and 'quick ball/slick hands and number's out wide allowed Henry Fa'afili the time and space to crash through over the 'whitewash' for our first try!!!! It was made even better when AJ (Adrian Jarvis) from 'out wide' further ehanced our lead by adding another 2 points with the conversion!! He couldn't have hit it better!!
It seemed to make a us similar to a 'bull in a china shop', the pack were immense, the aggression was 'fierce', we were quick to the 'breakdown', consistently crossing the 'gain line' and Sale Sharks were quick to concede penalty's.
AJ signalled his extent, when they came, in pointing towards the posts and up he stepped, probably thinking as we were, that a further 3 points we about to awarded, however, the 'upright' had other ideas.
It would be have been a 'brave man' to predict that in 2 games, he'd have hit the 'upright' on 3 occasions!!!! The stuff that 'nightmares' are made of!!!
Both teams made changes as it was 'fierce with big hits going in' and Steve (Thommo) Thompson was leading by example and making himself a constant 'thorn' in the Sale side.
A further infringement from the boys allowed Charlie Hodgson to put his side in front with his third penalty of the game on the 'eve of half time'.
By the similar token, AJ had the opportunity with his third penalty attempt of the first half, the final kick before the break, and 'dropped it short' to leave the half time score 9-7 to the Sharks.
Throughout the first 40 minutes we were the better side!!!
We came out for the second half on the attack looking to 'step up a gear' and we battled hard with aggression but were denied a try when Luther Burrell was dragged into touch as he attempted to 'go in at the corner'.
In all fairness to Sale Sharks they came back at us and due to us 'imploding on occasions' it allowed Charlie H to extend his side's lead (15 - 7) just after 60 minutes!!!
Again it 'sparked' us into life once more and we dominated possession with the Sharks happy to slow the game down/get body's in the way, protecting the advantage of their lead and we lost our impetus/frustation began to show.
The Sharks then wound down the clock in our half of the field, although, when we did secure posession, Michael Stephenson bravely crossed the 'whitewash' for our 2nd try.
AJ missed the conversion attempt but it was all set up for a nervous few minutes..........could we do it......Yes of course we could!!
We did everything we could to keep the ball alive by throwing it around and almost played 7's rugby although a further infringement at the 'death' left Sharks ecstatic and us despondent.
As supporters we simply could not have asked for more from the team, physicality was not in question, they gave their all and 'body language' from the Carnegie boys told a thousand words!!
Full Time / 15 -12 and I still believe that we have enough 'in the tank' to get out of this, despite only being awarded a Losing Bonus Point!!
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Hope the above made 'some' sense!!
Quote:merry
cheers h/r. must admit, after seeing the title i didn't expect it to have been written by you. still possible to survive, but i tend to agree with the title.
I used editorial licence with the title
yum yum.
I just know that we'll avoid the drop!!!
Quote:WildwillieQuote:merry
cheers h/r. must admit, after seeing the title i didn't expect it to have been written by you. still possible to survive, but i tend to agree with the title.
I used editorial licence with the title
WW, what ya like!!!!!
Still on the happy pills I see!
I honestly believe we'll see you home and away next season!!
Until then, have a good end to the season!!