Leeds back to winning ways
By Gelbel
February 2 2014
In the bitterly cold winter sun, Leeds ran out big winners against Bedford. But don’t let the score fool you into thinking it was a perfect performance from Leeds; it was far from it. But it went a long way to removing the bitter taste of defeat from last week’s visit to Oxford and made the most of both Exile teams losing this weekend.
It started very well, when a newly shorn Jonah Holmes broke out of Leeds’ half and romped away for a try within the first four minutes. Leeds lost their lost concentration after scoring and gifted Bedford a penalty which was soon cancelled out. Hughes then missed the first of several kicks of the afternoon.
Holmes was unlucky not to score again but he hit the touchline as the Bedford players caught up with him. Bedford were given some opportunities via a poor Leeds lineout close, mishandling from Vickerman and a missed attempt for touch at a penalty deep in Leeds’ 22. Doc nearly scored but his foot was in touch as he ran down the line. Hughes scored a long range penalty to make it 13-3 around the 30 minute mark. A few minutes later Hughes missed a sitter; he took so long in his build up he was rushed for the actual kick when the ball fell off the tee.
As Bedford were reduced to 13 the Leeds’ forwards took control and Ben Hooper found himself at the bottom of the pile to score a try. With the conversion missed and trading of penalties it was 21-6 at the turnaround.
Some poor passing from Leeds at the beginning of the second half gave Bedford a good attacking platform. However, they were unable to capitalise on it. Leeds gained possession and Buzz charged up half the pitch before he offloaded to Doc, who pinned back his ears to score. With Hughes scoring the conversion it was 28-6.
Bedford did not make the most of more opportunities handed to them; just clipping the touchline on a good try attempt and not making the most of turning over a poor Leeds’ lineout. Leeds were awarded another penalty which Hughes scored. Leeds found themselves being marched backwards 10 metres for back-chatting the referee; who overall had an OK to good game but he did get the loudest cheer of the match when he spotted a forward pass from Bedford as they were breaking out of Leeds’ 22.
The bonus point try was scored out wide by Vickerman. Lozowski missed the conversion. Bedford’s heads went down after that; they had a second yellow card and there was a lengthy break in play as one of their youngsters was stretchered off.
Buzz looked to have scored a try from the back of a maul but the referee denied him by awarding a penalty try. Lozowski converted and a few minutes later converted Vickerman’s second try to make it 50-6 at the final whistle.
So a big score, but, missed penalties and conversions aside, it could’ve been so much more. The ball handling was poor; miss passes, lots of knock-ons (although I would not have liked to have attempted to catch a ball with my fingers so cold). At times Leeds did not have the numbers, they missed opportunities by not being clinical enough or picking the right options.
That said, I thought Hannay had one of his better games for Leeds, Holmes backs himself the majority of the time; and it’s usually the right decision, Baby Doc was as effective as game maker as Hampo, Casson was all over the place, Doc looked lively and showed his speed and Vickerman recovered from a shaky start. Buzz was the well served man of the match. Having said that, it was sad to see Bedford play so poorly and I hope Tom Jubb’s injury is not as bad as it appeared at the time; although as we left an ambulance was on its way.
Next week it’s the trip to bottom of the table Ealing Trailfinders; as likely as not I’ll see you there.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:02:15:22:12:03 by Wildwillie .
Importantly we got the BP and remain in touch with our rivals.
J-Lo said Tom Jubb's injury was not as bad as first feared but likely to be ligaments, hope he gets well soon.
Onwards and upwards!
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
Quote:Wildwillie
50 points and not playing well. I'd take that anyday!
And me!
What I like is that we have developed into a side that has many different ways of scoring. Long distance solo efforts, pushover tries and nicely worked efforts with backs and forwards combining.
Quote:Wildwillie
50 points and not playing well. I'd take that anyday!
Me too. Far far better than last week. We played our game not the opposition's.
Not knocking them for today. I still have nightmares over the last "home" game at Otley, when thankfully we were put out of our misery after 65 mins.
Good to see Doc back flying up the wing.
Bedford not the force of last season though
Quote:Wildwillie
50 points and not playing well. I'd take that anyday!
Yep, me as well
And I bet Lanny would've taken it yesterday too!
Bedford seem to have a lot of bad luck at Leeds. Horrible injury at frozen Otley and what looked like it might be nasty at HC today, but the lad looked reasonably comfortable after sucking on the gas mask. Good to see all the medical attention available.
The ensuing pushover try looked totally legit so I can only think that Buzz (I think) will be seething that he wasn't awarded the try.
bedford were shocking though, very lacklustre. their second rows were old school spoilers, redundant in this age
In a way I'm glad that there were problems with Leeds play, as had they played to their ability the scoreline would have been embarrassing.
Apart from a couple of chances, Bedford did not turn up. I expected far better from a team that had, it seamed, clearly improved from a horrible start to the season.
Why, actually, did Bedford bother coming up the A1? They were disinterested and after our first score seemed to do little more than go through the motions (while trying to pick petty fights). I paid to watch a game between two sides that wanted to win; I don't think I got that.
I can't help but wonder what's happened down Goldington Road. They used to be one of our stronger opponents.
AramisTyke suggests that since there's no relegation play-off, and relegation seems to be basically between Ealing and Jersey, there's little to play for if you're mid-table with no chance of making the top four (ie in Bedford's position). That's a fair point but it doesn't excuse not trying.
PT.
In 40 + years of watching rugby I've never seen a perfect performance and dare say I never will. Sure a few things didn't go to plan but the score line tells you that a lot of good things did happen. Special mention for Nathan Hannay in order I think as he has come in for some harsh criticism at times on this board. That was his best game in a Leeds shirt. He seems really adept in the choke tackle and it lead to a couple of useful turnovers.
I'd like to see a bit more intelligence in our own 22. If there is nothing on then please just hoof it off the field. No need to put pressure on themselves unnecessarily.
Anyway -who cares it was a 50 pointer and I loved it!!!
You should have been in the paddock, it was almost tropical.
Good display against a very poor Bedford side. As JP says you hardly ever see perfection, and you can only play what is in front of you.
Sadly the Bedford number 4 only seemed interested in putting his knees into Leeds players when they were trying to get back to their feet, and watching the match highlights, Buzz seems to have copped a couple of stampings following the line out which led to the first Blues penalty.
We play a risky brand of rugby in attacking from deep but it is something that could persuade more people to watch.
I am looking forward to more of the same this weekend.
Quote:Gelbel
You coming along to Ealing then Rocky?
Providing a night in Nottingham on Friday doesnt wreck me we'll be there.
Quote:JohnnyP
Way they consistently move the ball through the hands in the 22 is risky and sometimes puts us under pressure but it's obvious they are playing to the game plan as they do it so regularly. On the positive side how many tries have we scored this season from very deep.
Until I watched the Bris game on tv I wondered what was going on with the playing about in front of the posts. Then we blitzed them from our own half and if we hadn't we would have lost by a distance. Since then I've begun to see the advantage of this strategy even though our opponents must have sussed us out by now.
First of all you need Jonah, DD or Stevie available, then you can discover that one missed tackle leads often to total disarray.Length of the field try 7 pts thank you.(Remember it first happened in the Donny debacle at the beginning of the season!) Also this must minimise the chances of a 15 man attack at us in our own 22. I bet JLo's thinking is why give the ball back to your opponents when in RU, you don't have to - so long as you can catch the ball!!
Quote:And so long as the passing is accurate!ellishicks
you don't have to - so long as you can catch the ball!!