Leeds Old Boys make happy return to Headingley
By Haxbytyke
November 3 2013
London Welsh maintained their 100% league record with a hard fought victory in an absorbing contest at Headingley this afternoon, but in a game which fluctuated first one way, and then the other, Leeds will realise it was their own mistakes which cost them the chance to claim all of the points.
Alex Lozowski got the game underway, and within two minutes he had got the scoreboard ticking when he landed a good penalty kick from 35 yards out. Leeds dropped the restart, and were penalised, but former favourite Gordon Ross missed a fairly straightforward chance to level the scores, and when he missed another, to ironic cheers shortly after that he was relieved of kicking duties for the afternoon.
For the first 25 minutes most of the play was in midfield as the two teams sparred for an early supremacy, but the game sprang into life when the visitors moved the ball quickly through several pairs of hands down the right flank, before switching play across field where prop forward Nathan Trevett was the recipient of a huge overlap and he crossed in the corner.
Leeds were trying to play too much rugby in their own 22, and were guilty of dropping the ball far too often. They were made to pay on 35 minutes when another overlap appeared on the Welsh left wing, and this time Nick Scott was on hand to score, Alex Davies converting from wide out.
The exiles had the bit between their teeth, and seemed to be heading to the interval with a good lead, but 2 minutes of Ryan Burrows magic, broughtLeedsback into the match. Firstly he forced a knock on as the visitors attacked in the home 22, and then he collected the ball, and along with McColl took play to halfway. As the ball was recycled, Burrows set off a storming 60 yard run down the middle, only to be caught in the shadow of the posts. Luckily he had support, and it was Fred Burdon who picked up and crashed over. Lozowski converted, and a half time score of 12 -10 to the visitors had at least givenLeedsthe chance to stay in the game.
Ryan Burrows had picked up a knock but returned to the field, and he was at it again immediately from the restart bursting through the visitors defence. McColl and Hampson carried the break on, and when Hampo was stopped short Calum Green was on hand to force his big frame across the whitewash. A good conversion put Leeds 5 points ahead, and this was increased when Craig Hampson made a superb break from deep in his own half. He lacked support, but he kicked ahead into the corner, and Oli Goss forced the defender into touch by the flag.Leeds thought they had scored from the line out, but the assistant signalled a foot had gone into touch.
It didn’t matter. Alex Lozowski was held up over the line andLeedswon a scrum 5 yards out. When the visiting pack collapsed, the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try, and the conversion gave Leeds a healthy 12 point cushion with half an hour still to play. Even when Davies kicked a penalty shortly after,Leeds still looked the most likely winners, until 10 minutes later, when good handling gave Nick Scott a huge gap to stroll through and score a converted try.
Leeds were their own worst enemies. Twice when they were attacking they conceded needless penalties, allowing Welsh to get back upfield, and when they were penalised again at a line out, Davies kicked the Exiles back into the lead.
Leeds pressed again, and with the clock running down they had a good position 10 yards from the line. The visitors prop dropped to the ground, but the scrum was reset, andLeedslost the ball. That was to prove their last chance, and although a number of replacements arrived, two more penalties for Davies gave the visitors a deserved victory.
For ex Leeds players, Ross, Titterell and Browne it was a happy return to their old stomping ground, indeed Dan Browne had a far better game than he ever had forLeeds. But it was Leeds mistakes which proved decisive. They dropped the ball far too often, and today the line out didn’t function either. Although the scrum held its own, much of the ball Leeds did get was untidy.
It was a disappointing performance, and one Leeds need to put behind them whenRotherhamcalls next week. No brainer for Man of the Match this week. The machine that is Ryan Burrows wins it hands down. Let’s hope his injury isn’t too serious.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:11:23:07:55:01 by Gelbel.
We made too many errors and were lucky to still be in it at half time.
In the 10 or 15 mins after half time we showed what we are capable of and blew them away. Unfortunately though having gone 12 points up we took our foot of the gas .
Welsh play like us, strong in defence, fast and powerful in attack. When two teams are this evenly matched the one that makes the fewest mistakes usually wins as they did today.
Well played Welsh, deserved winners today. We have to play smarter and make the right decisions at crucial times. That should be our focus before the re-match at the Kassam. Looking forward to it
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
Quote:Haxbytyke
..... We showed a lack of experience today, and we paid for it.
Correct!
One thing that surprised me. Why wait until 6 minutes before the end of normal time to replace either of the props or hooker. Granted when the 2 props came on the first scrum was a shambles but that was probably to do with their mindset at having such little of the action. I felt that fresh legs with 20 minutes to go would have been sensible to maintain our momentum. If the argument is we don't make changes for the sake of making changes then why did Griffin replace Goss? Puzzling to say the least.
Just an observation but wondered if anyone was thinking the same?
Final thing. The crowd was announced as 2440. For the first time I felt as though there were more than that in the ground and the atmosphere was particularly good at times.
On the positive side though there is no standout favourite for promotion this year and get to the final four and it's pretty open.
Quote:Bittern
My own view is that London Welsh probably can't play any better than they did yesterday but we certainly can. That gives me hope for the play offs.
The fifteen minutes across the halftime break gave us a tantalising glimpse of what we can do!
Quote:Rocky The Tyke
So a question for those that were there. What would be the starting XV for the Roth game?
No need to panic Rocky. We didn't control the line out, but that doesn't happen too often, so I'd start with the same set of forwards providing Buzz is fit. In the backs, I'd have Griffin back to partner Burden, and put baby Doc on the bench in case Hampo gets injured.
However, and I know this will be contentious, I would bring Hughes back at 10. Alex played very well, but for me the backs seem more penetrating with Glyn at fly half.
I hope we don't go back to the days of making 7 or 8 changes based on one result.
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
Hope Buzz is fit
Would start with Hampo with Baby Doc on the bench.
Unsure at 10 (what a novelty to have options
)
I have no clue what our best centre pairing is (not sure J-Lo does either)
Without Holmes I'd stick with Doc & Goss
Wee Stevie at FB!!
We're blessed to have a choice of two very promising young
players in such a pivotal position but there is a down side. Good young tens are a bit of a rare commodity and attract the attention of other clubs.
Quote:HaxbytykeQuote:Rocky The Tyke
So a question for those that were there. What would be the starting XV for the Roth game?
No need to panic Rocky. We didn't control the line out, but that doesn't happen too often, so I'd start with the same set of forwards providing Buzz is fit. In the backs, I'd have Griffin back to partner Burden, and put baby Doc on the bench in case Hampo gets injured.
However, and I know this will be contentious, I would bring Hughes back at 10. Alex played very well, but for me the backs seem more penetrating with Glyn at fly half.
I hope we don't go back to the days of making 7 or 8 changes based on one result.
Cheers Hax, our lineout seemed to be pretty solid for most of the past few matches so I was surprised it went awry. I cant see many changes in the pack for the Roth, in fact I think we could be looking at only 1 or two changes. It will be a test of both Roth and Leeds at the weekend to see how far Blackett and J Lo have taken the teams during their respective tenures.