Marching on Together!
By HaxbyTyke
April 4 2011
For the first time in weeks, Leeds took to the field to the strains of the fans’ anthem, and it fired the team, and the fans, up enough to grind out a 27 – 22 victory over Exeter Chiefs.
The afternoon had not started well, Mike Macdonald failing a late fitness test, and Gareth Hardy came into the starting 15. Leeds kicked off, but within a minute, had dropped the ball, and the big, (but cumbersome), Exeter pack drove Leeds backwards. It didn’t bode well, but we needn’t have worried, because for the rest of the afternoon the Leeds scrum dominated the visitors’ forwards.
Exeter had the better of the first exchanges, but Leeds defended aggressively, and when they eventually did win the ball inside their own 22, Burrell cleared with a mighty kick into the Chiefs half. Again, Leeds dropped the ball, and Ex came forward, and they took the lead on 13 minutes, when with an Ex player appearing to not release the ball in the tackle, Mr. Wiggy awarded them a penalty. From 35 yards Steenson gave the Chiefs the lead.
It didn’t last long, though, Exeter dropped the restart, and when Leeds won a penalty, Jarvis levelled the scores. Jarvis gave Leeds the lead when following a good grubber kick, the visitors got themselves offside, and AJ slotted the kick home.
Blackett and Fa’afili made a good tackle on the visitors’ winger when they threatened, but Leeds returned the pressure, and scored a try with just over half an hour on the clock. Hardy and Myall were stopped inches short, but, as ever, Hendre Fourie was on hand to pick up and crash over. Jarvis converted, and Leeds were 13 – 3 to the good.
Lee Blackett collected the restart, and sent a thundering kick downfield which the Exeter full back cleared to touch, but Leeds had made 40 yards, and had the throw. However, Leeds once again spilled the ball, and when the Chiefs got a penalty, Steenson came up with the goods to reduce the arrears again. With the clock running down, Fa’afili made a great break down the middle, and although he was stopped, the Touch Judge had spotted an infringement, and from 40 yards Jarvis restored Leeds’ 10 point advantage, a lead they took into the interval.
The second half, as the first started ominously. Leeds was controlling the ball on the halfway when it went to ground. Giant winger Nemani Nadolo, got away only to be tackled by Fourie. He kept the ball alive, albeit with the suspicion of a knock on, and in the ensuing chase, Bryan Rennie just evaded Kearnan Myall’s last ditch tackle to cross near enough the posts for Steenson to convert. To make matters worse, Captain Fantastic limped off, and Rhys Oakley joined the fray. Leeds should have increased the lead shortly after but Jarvis missed a fairly easy penalty kick. Steenson also missed a chance to maintain parity, but just after, when an Exeter pass hit Alfie on the backside, (a fair target I admit), Wiggy decided it was deliberate, and this time Steenson levelled the scores.
Would Leeds fold as they so often have before in similar situations?
No, they attacked with every forward relentlessly running at the heart of the visitors defence. Myall was held up on the line, and twice Leeds was awarded a penalty only to press for the try, and consequently lose the advantage. However on 55 minutes, they did accept the referees offering and Jarvis restored the 3 point lead.
Unbelievably, Blackett and To’oala made a complete mess of catching the restart, and Leeds found themselves defending again, until with an hour gone, Steenson kicked another penalty to level the scores at 19 each.
Gomez replaced Swainston, and Burrell made a great break in front of the South stand only to see Wackett drop his pass. Danny Paul replaced Daniel Browne, and just after this Leeds scored the ‘perfect’ forwards try. Leeds took control of the ball 25 yards from the Exeter line, and set up the maul. Thompson and To’oala controlled the ball, as the pack drove like a tank through the visitors defence. They were unstoppable, and it was Alfie To’oala who emerged from the bottom of the heap as they crossed the whitewash. The Leeds fans erupted, but their cheers turned to groans when Jarvis pushed the attempted conversion wide
Fa’afili then made a terrific 40 yard break through the middle, and when Leeds won a penalty with 10 minutes to go, Jarvis had the chance to make the game safe. Amazingly, for the third game in a row, his kick hit the post and came out. It didn’t seem to matter when he slotted over a drop goal with 8 minutes remaining, but Steenson missed a penalty kick before getting in on the drop goal act to make the score 27 – 22 with four minutes to go.
Leeds controlled the ball now, but when Danny Paul dropped the ball at the back of a ruck, Exeter could have had one more throw of the dice. Mieres fed the scrum, but the Leeds pack produced a phenomenal shove to take the ball against the head.
The sun came out, the clock wound down, and Leeds had gained a very important victory. In all honesty, Exeter looked little better than average and Leeds didn’t win that easily, but win they did, and now the scene is set for a titanic battle up at Kingston Park next week.
Man of the Match? All of them, the forwards were outstanding against supposedly one of the best sets of forwards in the division. The line out was dominant, while behind them the backs took everything that came at them, and returned it with interest. Gareth Hardy rarely wins the plaudits, but the work he did today was outstanding, Kearnan Myall was everywhere, Shrek, was Shrek, and Alfie was superb.
Fa’afili, Burrell and Blackett had big games, but I’m giving the bubbly to Steve Thompson. He was a giant today, and he led from the front when Marco went off.
Great effort today Leeds, more of the same next week please. We’ve been through it all together, and we’ve had our ups and downs, but hopefully today is the first step to another up.
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Still a win is a win and we have stepped back from the brink of oblivion.
WW, welcome aboard the Optimistic side.
I remember a few week ago mate, I was laughed at and reminded to keep taking the 'happy pills', it's tremendous to know that people are now starting to believe that Great Escape V2.0 is 'going to happen'.
Suffering on the Leeds and Yorkshire roller-coaster since 2001
Can I conplain about the lack of drumming?
You didn't show up and entertain us with your frenzied banging......and, er, we won.....
Nuff said.
Quote:Headingley/Roundhay
I remember a few week ago mate, I was laughed at and reminded to keep taking the 'happy pills', it's tremendous to know that people are now starting to believe that Great Escape V2.0 is 'going to happen'.
Nothing has changed - you still get laughed at!
Quote:WildwillieQuote:Headingley/Roundhay
I remember a few week ago mate, I was laughed at and reminded to keep taking the 'happy pills', it's tremendous to know that people are now starting to believe that Great Escape V2.0 is 'going to happen'.
Nothing has changed - you still get laughed at!
I know, I know!!!
keep up the good work!
Quote:merry
goes with the territory, h/r.
keep up the good work!
I've got broad shoulders mate!!