Not fancy but a win!
Assured
By Oopnorth
January 12 2014
Gala’s ground at Netherdale, once you find it amongst the old and new semi industrial area alongside the River Tweed, is a wee gem with a clubhouse and stand on one side, and a glorious view of the Eildon Hills in the distance. Luckily we were favoured by a sunny, clear but cold day with little wind and a good pitch. In the warm up the contrast between the teams was evident with the home team practising back line moves away from the breakdown whilst the bigger Leeds team were happy rehearsing the grunt and groan stuff. ...
Leeds started off brightly and dominated possession and territory throughout the first half, with Gala only having scraps given by Leeds handling errors and the occasional penalty at the breakdown. Despite complete dominance in the scrum, and plenty of ball and possession in the Gala 22 Leeds were unable to power through, or take the ball wide quickly enough to beat a very plucky Gala defence and it was a good twenty minutes or so before Hughes kicked Leeds ahead from near the posts. The game continued in similar fashion up to 5 minutes before half time when, after being held up once or twice Leeds and Williams finally drove a line out and score not far from the posts. Hughes missed the conversion and another penalty and Leeds went in at half time 8-0 up, looking strong but making heavy weather of putting points on the board.
Gala introduced Leonard, a fly half, Hidalgo-Clyne and Walker from Edinburgh, in the back line and used their other subs quite early in the second half. Leonard, a possible future international, certainly pepped things up for them, and with the Gala pack competing well everywhere except in the scrum, they had a quarter when it seemed this could be a closer game than anticipated, Gala, when they did get the ball spun it along the line a few times to Nikki Walker in some space, but Griffen and Goss dealt with the threats well.
Leeds forward dominance in the scrum told in the end with a push over penalty try against the head, followed by concerted pressure on the Gala line and a try by Walker from one of a series of mauls, both converted by Hughes. Gala however never gave up and finally managed a short period of pressure on the Leeds line resulting in a collapsed maul, with Lockwood binned, and a penalty try reward duly converted. They continued to look lively, but a handling error in midfield cost them dear when Barker kicked the ball forward from halfway and won the race with a great slide and scored Leeds fourth try. Converted again, bonus point achieved and job done. Not pretty, not expansive, but no injuries arising, so looking good for Bristol.
Of the new signings Casson a tall and athletic lock did well in the line out and the loose and adds value to the squad. He was binned immediately after our first try for some hanky panky which roused the home crowd, but a good debut. Clarke added presence and experience to a back line which played second fiddle to the pack where the large towering presences of Hannay and Williams put in full 80 minute shifts. And Beech was one of four fine props who all gave Gala the hardest of times. Goss did well at fullback covering for McColl, and the back row was industrious throughout. Hampson when he came on with twenty minutes to go also was in lively form.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:01:24:17:24:08 by Wildwillie .
And thanks for painting a lovely picture of the Gala club that I am hacked off I missed.
I like the idea of Goss at Fullback. Be interesting to see how he goes against Bristol if selected.
Sounds like it was a good run out for all concerned and of course, first priority in all B&I games, no injuries.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:01:12:17:33:23 by oopnorth.
Barring a strange set of results in the last round of games, Leeds have almost already qualified for the next stage. Leinster, Pirates and Bristol are already through, and Leeds need a minimum of a losing bonus point next week to guarantee progress, a win however would give them a home game,
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
He's a very experienced player and won't let us down in any of these positions.
Up the Carnegie TYKES !