A comedy of errors
By Haxbytyke
January 6 2013
Leeds Carnegie kicked off 2013 with a bonus point victory over a very lacklustre Plymouth Albion on their newly laid pitch. However Headingley was reminiscent of a theatre as the 2,084 fans that turned up were treated to a bit of panto, mystery, tragedy, and a thrilling finish.
New signing Rory Clegg got things under way, but for the next 15 minutes Leeds barely touched the ball, and conceded penalties to such an extent that 2 successful kicks fromAlbion’s Paul Roberts had given the visitors a deserved 6 -0 lead. Around this time, came the first of a number of mysteries. Mr Carley, fresh from his television appearance last week, decided the new pitch was unsuitable for proper scrums to take place. After all the hype about the new surface, this will be viewed as a tragedy by the Headingley hierarchy. For the rest of the game it was uncontested scrums, and asLeedscouldn’t keep hold of the ball when they got it, the ‘Mullets’ enjoyed a huge amount of possession.
Clegg had reduced the arrears when man of mystery (Mr. Carley), realised he had two arms, and awardedLeedsa penalty, but it was mundane stuff, with the state of the pitch being the main talking point.Leedsstarted to attack, and while pressing in the Mullets 22, two groundsmen were spotted repairing the pitch at the other end. Panto season had kicked in, and continued as the Albion scrum half put the ball into the second row, before telling his front row, ‘it’s behind you’.
The hosts then enjoyed a 15 minute purple patch which put the game to bed. Firstly a quick crossfield movement created space for Matt Clark to give a superb pass to Dominic Barrow, who showed great determination to cross in the right hand corner.
The ref consulted his assistant before awarding the try, and Rory Clegg converted from the touchline to giveLeeds the lead.
Three minutes later,Leedscrossed in the opposite corner. Clegg threw an outstanding pass which created space, and Dave Doherty was on hand to finish the move. Another touchline conversion and we were watching a different game. Albion did kick another penalty, butLeedsincreased the lead on 32 minutes when Josh Griffin made a break and kicked ahead. Mullets full back could only watch the ball bounce away from him, andGriffinwas on and to hack on and touch down by the posts. Clegg converted and added a penalty before a dubious decision deniedLeedsthe bonus point on the stroke of half time. McColl went storming through from inside his own half and he raced clear. With only the full back to beat, and Dave Doherty on his shoulder, Mr. Carley stood firm indicating an earlier forward pass.
The hosts led 27 – 9 at the break, and as the players had their lemons, the crowd were entertained by the appearance of Hendre Fourie, and the big screen played a montage of some of his appearances in a Tykes shirt. He received, quite rightly, a great ovation, and we were fired up for second half fireworks.
We didn’t get them, instead we saw Albion monopolise possession and camp on theLeedsline, but they couldn’t get over the whitewash, and when they did create an overlap and throw the ball out wide, McColl made a superb tackle to take the winger into touch. When Leeds did get the ball, they were guilty of forward passes when under no pressure at all, but even worse, when penalties gave them a good attacking line out, twice Graham’s throw went to white shirts, and opportunities for the bonus point were fast disappearing.
Considering the number of penalties Leedsconceded, it was a mystery nobody had a yellow card, but in the 75th minute, the t v celebrity had had enough and Dom. Barrow got an early finish. The Mullets scored from the scrum and converted the try with two minutes still to go, and when they retrieved the restart and forged deep intoLeeds’ half a losing bonus point looked a possibility. However they knocked on, and when McColl created a slight opening, Dave Doherty made a thrilling 50 yard run into the visitors half. Panto season was still alive as Leeds dropped the ball and Albion kicked into theLeeds 22. McColl set off on one of his bursts and broke through 3 tackles before kicking ahead. He was winning the race, but he was hauled back 10 metres or so from the line.Leeds opted to take the scrum for the penalty, and they were rewarded as skipper Jacob Rowan picked up at the base and gleefully scampered over for the bonus point try and a final score of Leeds 34 Plymouth 16
A strange afternoon in many ways, and I’m sure questions will be asked regarding the state of the pitch. The rugby wasn’t great, the man in the middle had a shocker, butLeedsgot the result they needed. New boy Rory Clegg settled in well, some good passing and a 100% kicking record, but in the second half he often kicked possession away when Leeds needed to keep the ball.
It is a worry how many penalties we concede every week, how many times we lose the ball when we throw into the lineout, how we give forward passes unnecessarily, because if we cut out half of these errors we would be winning games handsomely.
The defence held up well under a lot of pressure today, helped to some extent by some poor decision making by the visitors, but when we had the ball there were some decent performances. McColl had his best game for a while, Matt Clark had a good home debut, and Sam Lockwood again put in a big shift. However my bottle of pop this week is going to Josh Griffin. He put in some good tackles in midfield, made a couple of good breaks, and took his try very well. Probably his best game in a Leeds shirt.
Leeds now has a two week break from the league before travelling down to Bristol, and then facing runaway leaders Newcastle. If they are still in the top four after those two fixtures, then a play off place looms.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2013:01:26:15:38:20 by Wildwillie .
Quote:Panto season had kicked in, and continued as the Albion scrum half put the ball into the second row, before telling his front row, ‘it’s behind you’.
Awesome!!
Great report, though I would ask 'camera-boy' to define 'forward'!
Miserati - and Proud to be!
5 points is 5 points it wasn't pretty at times but it was job done.
P.S. Great to see Shreck back at his spiritual home.
A comedy fit for the big top with the ref as head clown. What a shocker he had, spoiling the proceedings. Made me wonder if there is a precedent for uncontested scrums, bearing in mind a full complement of willing forwards on both sides, fifteen minutes into the game,on a state of the art pitch, on a dry, mild winter's afternoon? If there wasn't, there is now! Thank goodness then that the ref did not deem the pitch unplayable and abandon the match.
Comedy apart. there was some good rugby played and it was good to see players running onto the ball which was having an impact. A good debut for Rory Clegg picking up 14 points in the process.
The worrying thing for me was the pitch. As one supporter said to me post match "is this the last we will see of Headingley this season". Expect the game against Leinster A to be switched to West Park to allow the pitch further time to settle.
In the end 5 points is 5 points, well done the lads!
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
A Leeds Carnegie performance that, for me, follows the pattern of the season so far. By that I mean that following a truly awful result we have beaten a team that in all honesty, we should expect to beat at home.
Matt Clark played well and, as billed, Rory Clegg looks very good (shame he's not ours.) There were long periods where we didnt have the ball but we defended well and made it count when we did have it.
I alway look for signs that we are progressing as a team and unfortunately I didn't see any today. The unforced errors are still there, we still concede far far too many penalties and yet again had someone binned.
Situation normal
the loosehead mullet had a good game
i wouldnt be to harsh on leeds for the pen count, the ref had his part to play in that
the forwards need to work on keeping the ball better in the maul and lineout. the ruck was patchy too with leeds sometimes slow to the breakdown
i think the backs were ok and with clegg will get better. expect mccoll to hit those lines without the forward pass in weeks to come
How that clown can go to uncontested scrums after the state of the Pontypridd and Jersey pitches is beyond me.
The man in the middle is clearly totally out of his depth at this level. That was an atrocious display of refereeing.
Quote:Rocky The Tyke
Matt Clark joined from Huddersfield on a short term deal and is certainly impressing.
Matt is in education at Huddersfield Uni. but, until this season, has been plying his trade at Blaydon in the North East.
First half of the season he was playing up at Grassington for Wharfedale.
Quote:inside passQuote:Rocky The Tyke
Matt Clark joined from Huddersfield on a short term deal and is certainly impressing.
Matt is in education at Huddersfield Uni. but, until this season, has been plying his trade at Blaydon in the North East.
First half of the season he was playing up at Grassington for Wharfedale.
Thank you for correcting me, that teaches me for believing info supplied by the club
Still, worried about the consequences of not preparing an adequate pitch. I am astonished that the 'programme' said they didn't know how it was going to play under an RU scrum - did they not think to try it out? perhaps in the in goal area where no real damage would be done? - amateurish!
our team had a rotten second half - must have been a cracking team talk by the Mullets coach.
Quote:farmertyke
.... Great report Haxby and I am delighted that there is now one sensible moderator in Gelbel.
...all we need now are some sensible posters!
The ref was a complete idiot! How can we arrange that he never darkens the Headingley door again, PLEASE!
The guys did achieve was was required, just a pity they left it so last minute, many finger nails disappeared on Sunday afternoon I suspect.
I'm with you regarding Josh Griffin. I thought he had a great game, certainly his best yet for us and his linking with Fred Burdon holds much promise.
Matt Clark was also very competent. Our back line is looking good these days in attack, (most of the forward passes weren't, from where I was stood,) so if we can get Joe & Rory to keep them moving with ball in hand, much good would come of that.
Roll on the next one, Up the Carnegie TYKES !