Plug’s Bash Street Kids Fall at the Bell
Leads from the front.
By Hax
October 13 2011
Phil Nilsen proudly led another young Carnegie side out at Castle Park, and they can hold their heads high as it took a penalty try, with only 51 seconds remaining on the clock, to give the much more experienced Knights victory in this British and Irish cup encounter.......
It was so wet, playtime would have been cancelled had our lads still been in school, but Leeds started brightly and after 4 minutes Tom Barrett converted a penalty kick from 22 yards to give the visitors the lead.
It got even better after 12 minutes, when following a 30 yard driving maul by the pack; Leeds won a lineout near the Donny line, and created space for Steve Costello, who was making his debut to cross in the corner. The conversion failed, and Leeds were forced to defend doggedly, but eventually the hosts pack drove over the line, and although the ref was badly positioned, his assistant awarded the try. Whitehead added the extras to make it 7 – 8. The next few minutes were scrappy with both sides spilling the greasy egg, but the game burst in to life when Alex Rieder made a strong 40 yard break down the middle, and although he was stopped, Leeds recycled well, and Rieder was again in the line to brush off a weak attempted tackle and cross by the posts. Barrett tagged on the two points, and again Leeds had a healthy lead.
Sadly, a typical piece of Leeds play brought Donny back into the game. Barrett failed to find touch from a penalty and the ball was booted back into the Leeds half where Costello dropped the ball. From the scrum, the Knights worked the ball forward, and eventually created enough space for Michael Noone to cross by the corner flag. Whitehead converted, and once again only 1 point separated the sides.
Leeds had a let off just before the interval, when attempting to throw the ball out wide a Doncaster defender intercepted just inside his own half, but dropped the ball with a clear field in front of him. It worked out well, as from the scrum; Barrett sold a beautiful dummy and scampered 40 yards to cross at the side of the sticks. He tagged on the extras, and Leeds led 22 – 14 at the break.
The second half was a much more turgid affair, played almost entirely in the Leeds half of the field. The hosts introduced replacements with plenty of experience, and they began to turn the screw. The deficit was reduced when Whitehead kicked a penalty goal with 22 minutes remaining, and Leeds were seeing very little of the ball.
Further pressure came when Hampson cleared directly to touch, and from the resulting line out, Donny spread the ball wide. When play broke down Sir returned across the field and showed Richard Rhodes a yellow card, presumably for something he had said.
Leeds only had 6 players on the bench, and they were now all on the field. They were defending desperately, and conceding a number of penalties. Scrum after scrum was reset 5 yards from the Leeds line, and with 2 minutes remaining, Mo Mustapha upset the wasp in the middle and joined Rhodes in the sin bin. Still the thirteen boys and men defended, but Sir had had enough and with just 51 seconds showing on the clock, and under pressure from the home fans, he awarded the hosts a penalty try which Whitehead duly converted to give Donny the lead for the first time in the game.
Leeds did get back into the Doncaster half, and twice had opportunities to attack, but a dropped pass, and finally a poor line out meant Barrett trying a drop goal from an impossible position which hardly got off the ground and flew harmlessly wide.
So, another defeat, but a very good effort. Nilsen led from the front, Harry Hannan put in some big hits from flanker, and newcomer Steve Costello had an impressive debut. James Tincknell got involved with some good running and tackling, as did Marcus Webber, a player who looks to have the pace we have been craving for. However my bubbly tonight goes to Alex Rieder. An outstanding display from the young back row, and a well deserved try
A very enjoyable evening at Castle Park and the natives made us more than welcome. Quite a few of our first team were also there to cheer the bairns on, and I am sure they will have been impressed by their performance.
Defeat maybe, but another impressive display from the kids. Well done.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:10:16:18:53:51 by Wildwillie.
The first half was particularly impressive and the doom mongers on here who wouldn't go, missed a good performance by our babes.
A group of our Acadamy lads were on the East Terrace, just behind where I was standing and their commentry throughout the game was itself, worth the entry fee!
Hugely amusing on a very wet night and of course, being their mates, very accurate comments. Absolutely priceless!
Well done those on and of the pitch. A thoroughly entertaining game with wonderful commentry.
You tv watchers should get out more. You never know what you will experience.
Some things never change. The ref. was rubbish!
Up the Carnegie TYKES !
Quite a few walking wounded by the end; when we were down to 12 young Hannan was limping quite badly making it effectively 12. Pleasingly though Plug appeared to survive unscathed.
Interesting chatting to the Donny fans to see how much they rated James Craig (sadly left now) and Chris Walker (who pleasingky hasn't), both of whom had a lot of game time with them last season.
All in all a good evening - apart from a major lack of yellow hats. I only saw one .... in a mirror!
Good old flat cap, much more suitable!
Up the Carnegie TYKES !
The club house curry supper was good though.
Well done to all on and off the field.
OOh and Tinks just got another mention on look north - and this time he plays for leeds!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:10:13:18:52:38 by williamwebbellis.
Must say Leeds looked very good going forward, The stand off having an easy waltz through at times.
All in all a very enjoyable and thoroughly watchable game that could have gone either way.
However, I agree it was an enjoyable game.
I know that was 'only' a cup game, but I am surprised at the position Leeds are in, what I've seen should be easily top half of the league. I'm sure things will start to come together soon for you.
Miserati - and Proud to be!
Quote:haxbytyke
I thought Plug's handling of the ref. was spot on. He sought clarification on a number of dubious decisions, and communicated the answer back to his players. We've not seen a lot of that recently, and he may have his critics, but his first experience of captaincy showed him in a good light indeed. He did of course have young Harry to do what Phil himself would normally have been doing
tickled me there, haxby.