Pirates scuttled at Cross Green
By Zandra LaPoi
March 4 2013
So, there I was at Otley for the Budgies’ game when Gelbel ‘suggested’ that as I was coming to the Pirates’ game, I could write the match report. I didn’t argue, agreed and here I am, Sunday night, tapping away trying to create an informative, amusing masterpiece about what I’ve just witnessed.
I was surprised when I saw the team sheet and saw Clegg was starting. According to DE in his pre-match chat, Clegg brings a certain ‘quality’ to the team. Well, due to my Slimming World-induced hallucinations, I must have missed that ‘quality’ during the Donny game. Joe was on the bench so we had options this time in case of any Jean Claude van-Dramas. Myerscough was injured so DE made the one change, bringing in Matt Smith to start against his old club.
This was to be a big test of character for Leeds, the excellent performance against the Budgies now nothing but a distant memory after our ‘after the Lord Mayor’s Show’ performance against Donny. The victory by Bris against the Blues had now made this one of those ‘Do or Die’ games, my nerves hate those games, if we lost we would struggle to make the play offs and the season would be over. We hoped we’d turn up, at least. The Pirates, also going through somewhat of a barren spell themselves, had something to prove after their drubbing at the hands of the Budgies last week.
So we kicked off and got a penalty. Clegg’s kick was ugly however, it was effective and we took an early lead. Then a Pesky Pirate was allowed to scamper down the left wing and Paul Andrew dinked in for the try, thankfully Hallet slipped, just as St Jimmy had done for the Budgies, and failed to take the two points on offer. After another penalty miss by Hallet he got his reward and went under the posts for the Pirate’s second try, he nailed the kick and the score was 3 – 12 to the Pirates. That try was weird, Asbo was tackled and it was luck that saw Hallet get the ball and run over the try line. Also, there seemed to be an apparent obstruction missed by the referee. Regardless, we were losing and some were fearing another Donny, we needed to see some grit and determination from the boys in order to stay in touch.
We were managing to annoy the Pirates on their 22, and of the three penalties awarded to us, Cleggy nailed two, making it 9 – 12 approaching half time. Then Damion, who looks like he eats horses for breakfast, was sin binned for a little indiscretion. The resulting tactical substitution saw Currie on for Matt Clark. Whilst Damion was off the Pirates scored another three from a penalty, so going into half time, the score was 12 – 15
Although we were losing, l didn’t think there was a lot in it, ok we were not firing on all cylinders, but neither were the Pirates, so there was all to play for in the second half, although we would now be going uphill!
We kicked off still only with 14 men. Clegg misses his second penalty of the afternoon. Then DE brings on Scotty ‘sans mullet’ Freer to replacement Asbo. On 50 mins, Matt Smith manages to get the ball and sprint, lollop, towards the try line and dives in under the posts for a home try against his old club. Cleggy makes the con and we are in the lead again, 19 – 15.
We were then treated to some referee / linesman shenanigans. Seems the ref was broken and he went off with his bag of ‘harvested dog-eggs’ (according to Mark C) and the linesman we had abused all game was now the man in the middle.
We were starting to play and get the upper hand. Two more penalties made it 25 – 15. After a Pirates penalty, Leeds got their second try, great work by Kirsty, who managed an off-load to Doc after a cracking run. Clegg got the conversion, so 32 – 18 to Leeds. Our scrum was starting to annoy the visitors and after a great maul by the Leeds forwards, to the chants of ‘Leeds, Leeds, Leeds’ by the faithful, the people’s try was scored by replacement Lee Imiolek. 37 – 18. Lanny, who had popped in to see how we were doing, was so excited by this try he had to leave, obviously overcome with emotion!
Although we had won, our concentration lapsed ever so slighty and we let Pirates in for a converted try in the dying minutes.
So, the final score was 37 – 25, no bonus points for anyone, losing or otherwise. So what was the impression of the Die-Hards? We were tepid in the first half, Pirates had missed two kicks, a pen and a con, so it could have been 12 – 20 at half time, but it wasn’t and we were still in touch. The team that came out in the second half were up for it, well up for it. They didn’t let the Pirates have much at all. Had Kirsty had his catching mitts on, we could have had another try, although the lad played well and set up Doc for his try.
Mentions must go to Scotty Freer, who was like a man possessed when he came on, he was everywhere, clearly loving being fit again, and Ben Harris, MoM and solid in the scrum, again. Also Cleggy, he made amends for the Donny game, although his kicks never look, or sound, good,they are effective and he had his kicking boots on today and of the three he missed he hit the post twice. He also seems to get the back line moving quicker than Fordy does. He can stay for now, he might be key should we reach the play offs.
We now have to forget about how Bris are doing, how the Pirates and doing and where Bedford and Nottingham are in the table and concentrate on our own performances. London Scottish are up next for one of our ‘On the Road’ fixtures. This couldn’t come at a worse time for us, we need the stability of ‘Home’ venue we know, even if it is not Headingley, in order to give us that advantage playing at home is supposed to give teams. If we make the play offs, with all the to-ing and fro-ing we have done this season, we will have done very well indeed.
See you all next week. - Marching on Together!
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:03:11:06:39:41 by Wildwillie .
Too right about a "must win" game. They all are now.
I enjoyed the second half much more than the first.
Regarding your comment on "Clegg" if he is going to the Budgies next season I assume he will not be allowed to play in the playoff games anyway.
So not playing Joe has to be a serious error of judgment by DE but that seems to be par for the course anyway.
Not sure about Cleggy to be honest. I am hoping DE has more of an idea than me!
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
Quote:Rocky's Dad
Don’t under-estimate yourself Zan!!
More a case of don't overestimate DE, in my opinion.
I love your reports Zand - you ought to do more.
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
Quote:Selby Kev
Good report...much appreciated. Vast improvement on Donny.
Bit unfair that Kev, I thought the Donny report was very good!
Seriously, (just in case), a great report Zan, said as you saw it, with humour as well.
A close second was Haxby who moaned about Leeds playing on when they had a penalty advantage before Matt Smith crashed over for our 1st try 3 phases later!!!
Quote:bunj1967
A close second was Haxby who moaned about Leeds playing on when they had a penalty advantage before Matt Smith crashed over for our 1st try 3 phases later!!!
.....and continued moaning until we scored our third try!
