Ford Focus drives Leeds Fiesta

Rare try today
By Haxbytyke
March 10 2013

Leeds lifted themselves back into fourth place in the Championship with a hard earned victory over a disappointing London Scottish at the welcoming surroundings of Hull Ionians’ Brantingham Park. It was deep into the second half before Leeds secured victory, as the visitors seemed more content to niggle their opponents than play constructive rugby, but by the end of the game, the flying Scots ran out of steam and were shunted out of the way.

Joe Ford got the game under way in bright sunshine, but with a swirling wind blowing, and four minutes in, the first of quite a few scuffles at the scrum started.Leedspack won a penalty which was drilled to touch close to the line, only for the hosts to lose the line out and the exiles cleared the threat.

There was little to excite the crowd, but on 10 minutes Jacob Rowan emerged from a crowd of players just inside his own half and set off for the corner flag. Although some cover got back, Oli Goss was on his shoulder to collect his offload and gallop across the line. Ford nailed the conversion and expectations were high.

Between the 15^th and 18^th minutes Scottish were awarded 3 kickable penalties. James Love nailed the first, decided to kick for touch from the next, and amazingly hit the post with the third one, a comparatively simple kick from just 20 yards.

The game wasn’t flowing but Leeds thought they had scored just after the half hour mark when Tussac and Harris drove at the line. Mr. MacDonald decided they were held up and awarded a 5 metre scrum, which was to last for 7 minutes. Hampo didn’t want to put the ball in, their scrum half pointed repeatedly to the officials and somebody’s feet, and Leedswere awarded 4 successive penalties. Sadly, for the crowd,Leeds kept choosing the scrum option, and so it went on. The farce only ended when Leeds were penalised, and Scottish cleared their lines. For many of the crowd 7 minutes of their life had been lost, but we got to the break withLeeds7 – 3 to the good.

The second half started well for Leeds, the pack were controlling the scrums and mauls, and when Hampson sent Doherty into a gap, he unshipped to Walker, who then fed Rowan and he gleefully crossed in the corner. An excellent Ford conversion put some daylight between the teams, was a bonus point coming our way?

Sadly the game again resorted to a midfield collision with both sides guilty of handling errors, but Scottish did come close when a clever cross field kick was taken by David Howells, but he was judged to have stepped into touch before sending a supporting player over the line.

By now both sides were bringing on replacements and the game was going nowhere, yet with just 8 minutes left, we saw some skill. Scottish were attacking on the half way line when the ball popped into a Leeds hand. Hampson looked up, and with the visitors defence nowhere to be seen sent a lovely kick across the park into the visitors 22, and there sprinting along the touch line was Joe Ford. He collected as the ball bounced nicely into his hands and he scampered behind the posts for only his second try in a Leeds Jersey. He added the extras, and at least the game was won.

Leeds had a chance to collect the fourth try 5 minutes from the end, but yet again they made a mess of a line out close to the line. It seemed the chance had gone, but when they got another penalty they once again kicked to touch, and this time they made no mistake. The forwards drove in hard and the players jumped for joy as the ball was put down over the white wash, Chris Walker being credited with the try.

So not a spectacle, but 5 very important points as the season draws to an exciting climax. In spite of the ‘bitty’ nature of the game,Leeds did some things very well. They tackled aggressively, often driving their opponents back, and Josh Griffin certainly added some oomph in the centre. The support play was good as well, but Leeds still makes too many unforced errors at critical times in the game.

Jacob Rowan led from the front, made the first try and was on hand to score the second. Scott Freer was immense, some big hits, and aggressive running. Calum Green was superb at the lineout, and again put in a full shift at the coal face, but my bottle of pop is going to Chris Walker. He was here, there and everywhere, in defence and attack, and his try was reward for his efforts.

Finally, a word for our hosts. Excellent facilities and a pitch as good as any we have played on this season. The crowd of 1,261 (???), were well received and looked after. Thank you.

Ford Focus drives Leeds Fiesta

Posted by: TykesRugby.co.uk (IP Logged)

Date: 10/03/2013 20:24

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:03:24:08:08:48 by Wildwillie .