Can Carnegie clip Falcons' wings?
By Haxbytyke
September 25 2012
Having been relegated from the Premiership last season, after a few near misses previously, Newcastle Falcons now sit atop of the Championship as if to emphasise the gap in quality between the two divisions. Four victories from their opening fixtures, including trips to Bristol and Cornish Pirates, picking up 3 bonus points along the way, means they fly high above the rest of the league, and they will be looking to extend their lead when Leeds go calling this Friday.
They have already scored 148 points, 58 of those coming from the boot of Jimmy Gopperth, so the hosts will be long odds on to take another step towards a quick return to the top tier.
Is it worth Leeds turning up? Yes it is. Had they not thrown away big leads at Nottingham and Plymouth, Carnegie would also be going into Friday’s encounter with an unbeaten record to defend, and they too know the way to the whitewash, having crossed it 16 times already. They have played exciting attacking rugby, and a repeat of last weeks first half effort should give the fans an enthralling encounter to watch.
The big difference between the two sides of course is their defence. Leeds have looked all at sea at times, not only have individuals missed their tackles, but there seems to be a lack of organisation as well, and big gaps have appeared from nowhere when opponents attack. Leeds need to stop finding ways of giving the ball away too easily also, and I hope they have been practising catching restarts this week.
Their discipline needs to be impeccable, for any discretion in their own half of the field will almost certainly cost them 3 points, but that also applies to the Falcons, as Joe Ford is converting his chances for fun at the minute.
I don’t expect too many changes in the team from last week, apart from Phil Nilsen returning at hooker, and if Leeds has the confidence to play to their strengths and ship the ball out wide to use the speed of the backs, then it could be a close game.
Leeds recent record at Kingston Park is good, having gained two narrow victories on their last two league visits, so can they make it a hat trick on Friday? I would love to say yes, but maybe the game has just come a little too early in the season, and I predict a narrow defeat in what potentially could be a high scoring encounter.
Hopefully a few Leeds fans will journey up the A1, and I wish them all a safe journey.
Enjoy the game.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:10:03:05:52:47 by Wildwillie .
Still, I got my tickets yesterday and am looking forward to it, i think it should be an exciting end to end game.
If anyone hasn't got their tickets yet, Falcons have a buy one get one free offer on until Thursday.
It was so bad that training on the 3G supposedly-all-weather pitch at West Park is off tonight as waterlogged!
Quote:Selby Kev
life always comes too soon!!.
A good point Kev, indeed it does.
I suppose we might as well have a good go at them now while our tails are up!
Miserati - and Proud to be!
Suffering on the Leeds and Yorkshire roller-coaster since 2001
Miserati - and Proud to be!
