Easter Parade
Legend!
By Gelbel
April 20 2011
As with most things associated with being a Leeds Carnegie supporter, even the title of this preview is a double-edged sword! Do I mean Easter of the England #8 variety or parade as in lots of ex-players coming to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Leeds’ first promotion to the Premiership? Mind you, a triple-edged sword argument could be made about the time of year and a resurrection of mighty proportions!
So let’s consider the first scenario. Nick Easter, barnstorming, back-row forward, whose mobility defies his size. He’s also got good hands with the ability to offload well. So who do Leeds put upgainst him? I give you Danny Paul - one of the few who gave a good performance against Wasps last weekend. Another lump of a man (in the nicest possible sense) who is not afraid to put his body on the line and is fleet of foot to get to the breakdown. But I hope he’s not carrying an injury as he limped off on Sunday. Then there is Rhys Oakley, who came on as a replacement, and raided the Wasps line after a good period of sustained pressure from Leeds. We’ve also got Alfie, who is a bit one dimensional (IMHO) – albeit in a battering-ram sort of way. But will this be enough up against Nick Easter? We will have to wait and see. One thing’s for sure whoever pulls on the #8 jersey, or any Leeds jersey for that matter, has to play the game of their life and rain on Quins’ parade. For not winning, or at least getting one point more than Newcastle’s Friday night result (but that is a dangerous game to play), cannot be an option.
Sustained pressure may well be the deciding factor in this game. Quins had plenty against Bath but did not convert it into points. Sounds familiar? Leeds have to come away with points every time we visit the Quins’ 22. Dare I say the Quins’ half and AJ slots away long distance kicks? Lots of discipline is required, along with the need to play what’s in front and not sticking to a game plan decided on the training pitch. Failure to adapt would mean that fat lady will be warming her voice up.
And so on to scenario two, the parade of the great and the good. Some may say the not so great and the not so good, but if they have all plied their trade at HC and want to come and celebrate then they should all be great in all our eyes. Many have travelled from afar and are real Leeds legends; Mike Shelly, Albie, Mark “Ronnie” Regan, Rawley et al. Here’s the full list to whet your appetite.
Add another – Danny Care as he tries to out-wit Scott Mathie on the park.
If this fine body of men is not enough to get the blood pulsing through the veins of the current incumbents then I don’t know what will. Some of this current squad are soon off to pastures new and they’ll be welcomed back. But how many? It depends on Sunday’s result and the events that happen up at Kingston Park on Friday night.
Neil Back has called for a big home crowd to cheer the players on – tickets can even be brought on the cheap. Yes, it will be lovely to end the home season with the biggest gate at HC this season. Yes, the home crowd will shout and scream and yell and bay and bawl and sing. But those that make that noise from their hearts and with meaning will be the ones to make a difference to lift our team’s spirits. And we, in turn, will then surely have our spirits lifted by a committed, passionate team playing with intent and purpose and self-belief. And then we’ll, hopefully, see a Leeds win. But do you know what? As much as I will be willing for and praying for and crossing everything for a Leeds win, I’ll settle for a great performance and fond memories of could be the last time we see the bulk of this squad at HC.
On that sad thought, I’d better go to find an Easter egg to demolish to console myself!
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Its rather terrifying that we have to get points this weekend or that's just about it. It seems a long way from the Wus game last season. But until the maths says no it's still possible to belive
Let us hope, whatever happens at Kingston Park, we give Quins the 'kitchen sink', and get the points that will at least give us hope going into the last game of the season.
COME ON LEEDS
I feel I'll have to go to Saints.
