How to tame a dragon.?

By Leemingtyke
January 22 2014

The business end of the regular season gets underway with a trip into previously uncharted rugby territory as the lads take on London Welsh at the Kassam Stadium, a ground which the geographically astute amongst you will have no doubt noticed is in neither London nor Wales but instead is nestled serenely amongst the dreaming spires of Oxford. To quote the great Welsh linguist Nessa Jenkins “Truth be told” it’s actually part of a modern leisure complex located just off the A4142 on the Oxford ring road but, to be honest, I’m not one to let the truth get in the way of a barely passable opening paragraph and secondly, it will still be a nice location in which to witness a game of rugby and I’m disappointed that I won’t be making the trip myself....

I’m told that Oxford is also home to one of the finest learning establishments in the land, a fact which is particularly apt as, at Headingley in early November, Welsh delivered a master class in the art of winning a rugby match by the use of brains as much as brawn. Powerful, direct running coupled with some excellent offloading saw Welsh leading 12-3 with half time approaching. Then, led by an inspired Ryan Burrows, Leeds put on put on an exhibition of what can only be described as ‘total rugby’. The Exiles were left reeling as Leeds tore into their defence with such ferocious intent that, just 20 minutes of playing time later, the scoreline read 24-12 to the green, black and white hoops. That should have been that – but it wasn’t. Welsh went back to the drawing board, dug in and battled hard to win some possession. That done they ditched their running game, instead choosing to work through the phases to gain field position and, when Leeds inevitably transgressed, they took the points on offer. They either kicked or ran in a total of 19 unanswered points to record a well deserved 24-31 victory. It was an impressive display of confident, intelligent rugby ruthlessly delivered by a very good London Welsh side. For us it was a clear indication that there was still work to be done. Whilst we were undoubtedly talented enough to mix it with the big boys we were not yet smart enough to realise when a team has us figured out and switch to Plan B.

That game was part of what turned out to be a 10 match Welsh winning streak stretching back to the beginning of the season and it looked like they might run away with the league. Then, in late November, Bedford beat them at Goldington Road and, in their next league outing, fellow exiles London Scottish repeated the trick, this time at the Kassam. Having been hauled in by the chasing pack they steadied the ship and reclaimed top spot courtesy of a successful trip to the Channel Islands prior to the B&I break. Meanwhile back at Headingley, and further afield, we’ve been winning the majority of our games. The feel-good factor has been tempered slightly by a recent spate of injuries. Buzz, so influential in our last meeting, will again be missing along with Two Sacks, Stevie and Callum Green. Add those to Scott Freer, who has been missing all season, and you have five players whose presence would be missed by any team but, it’s a squad game and our recent signings have given us added strength in depth.

The B&I games gave Jimmy the chance to cast his eye over the new recruits and his selection for Saturday should reveal which option he likes the best. So, it’s all set up nicely and should be a cracker. Our cup victories against Gala and Bristol were matched by Welsh who limbered up by beating Pontypridd and then recovering from an 18-8 half time deficit to beat the Cockney Jocks 21-18. With winter finally looking like it might make an appearance will we stick to our preferred option of throwing the ball around and attacking from anywhere? Given their success in the final third of the last match, will Welsh set their stall out to stop us? If they do, have we developed the ability to adapt and overcome against a side as accomplished as London Welsh? This is one of the games of the season for me and, as I said before, I’m gutted not to be going.

The match itself is too close to call and the only prediction I’m going to make is that this will not be the last time these two teams meet this season as I feel we are both destined for the play offs – possibly the final?? If you’re lucky enough to be going, I hear Brakspears Oxford Gold is worth a tipple. Unfortunately, I’m also told it’s rarer than a monogamous French president. Enjoy the game (and the beer)! Come on Leeds!