Haway OUR Lads

At 1.15 on Sunday, Wayne Barnes will blow his whistle, the talking will stop, and Newcastle Falcons and Leeds Carnegie will continue where they left off last Monday in their search for a place in this season’s Championship play off final.

I think it is fair to say, Leeds both surprised, and impressed, many judges with last week’s display, and it will take another huge effort by the ‘hoops’ to hang on to their slender advantage in the cauldron that will be Kingston Park.

Already kitchens are being dismantled in the north east so the sinks can be thrown, and I’ve no doubt Dean Richards will have his troops under no illusions that if they mess up on Sunday, they are resigned to another season of Championship rugby. It has been said over and over again, Falcons were the outstanding side of the season, and they earned the right to promotion, but they have to negotiate the play off system, and they won’t be the first team to come unstuck should things not go their way this weekend. Will the curse of the play-offs strike again?

The first leg at Headingley started at a frenetic pace, and it had all the excitement a cup semi final should have. Both sides were nervous, but play went from end to end, and the crowd and the armchair supporters certainly had value for money.

Whether both sides are prepared to adopt the same attitude on Sunday remains to be seen. Unlike football, teams cannot particularly set out their stall to defend, and if Leeds does adopt that approach, they will come unstuck. The pressure really is on Newcastle, and while Diccon Edwards had kept a low profile this week, Richards has been happy to tell everybody that Newcastle will not make the same mistakes again, a tactic which could heap even more pressure on his under fire team.

Much will depend this week on how well Leeds young side can hold their nerve. If they can go out and play as they have done in the previous few weeks, they will give themselves a chance of causing a massive upset. It is all about keeping mistakes to a minimum, not panicking if things go wrong early on, and scrapping for each other like they did in the first leg. The scrum will probably be the deciding factor, and the Leeds front rows, (both of them), need not be intimidated. Provided Mr. Barnes referees what he sees, and not what he perceives, then Leeds will be ok.

Injuries permitting, I don’t anticipate any changes to the match 22, but I’d be very tempted to start with baby Doc., only because I think he can keep things a bit tighter around the base early on, and Hampo may be a better bet coming from the bench if Falcons tire towards the end.

Every Leeds fan I know is looking forward with a slight air of optimism, and that in itself shows how far our young team have developed this season. I hope there is a great atmosphere, and a friendly rivalry among both sets of fans to provide a game fitting of the occasion, and as exciting as the first leg was.

By 3.00 we will all know our fate, but win or lose, Leeds have done themselves, and their supporters proud this season. If you’re free on Sunday get up to Kingston Park and cheer Leeds on. I’d love to predict a Leeds  win, but my head tells me it won’t happen. Having said that, I only predict a Falcons win by 3, and that would set off huge celebrations in the Leeds camp.

Safe journey to all. Enjoy the game

COME ON LEEDS