Wet, wet, whet
He's back!
By Almo
April 26 2014
Playing the last game of the "regular" season 19 hours ahead of the other Championship fixtures at a very wet Headingley, Leeds Carnegie produced an inspired second-half performance against a young Pirates side to gain 5 points and go up to second place, one point ahead of London Welsh.
Wet
The damp conditions made the first half an uninspiring spectacle. Pirates scored first, a penalty from the 22 metre line, and nearly ran in a try in the left hand corner when cold, wet Carnegie hands fumbled tackles. However Leeds slowly upped the pressure resulting in lots of scrums near the Pirates line and Pirates losing two players to yellow cards, although surprisingly no penalty tries were awarded. The highlight of the half was undoubtedly when at 20 minutes, Kirsty ran in to score from 45 metres, his powerful run slicing through two defenders as though they weren’t there. The conversion was missed, Leeds at last in front 5 – 3. More pressure from Leeds but the conditions did not suit running rugby and there were inevitable knock-ons and resultant slow scrums, but the half ended on a higher note when Sisi scored on the left from a rolling maul and Bentley added the extra two points. 12 – 3 at half time and as pundit Mark_C remarked, “it can only get better”.
Wet
Well the weather didn’t get any better, the rain if anything getting heavier, but it seemed J-Lo told the lads to up the pace in the second half. Showing more urgency, a tap penalty by Doherty following one of Pirates many off-side ventures lead to Jonah going over in the right-hand corner. Bentley missed the conversion and was rewarded by being taken off and being replaced by Lozzer. The pace of the game stepped up again and Vickerman was soon scoring under the posts. Lozzer converted to make it 24 – 3 and Pirates’ young team looked dead and buried. It then became substitution time. Beech and Graham came on at about 65 minutes followed shortly afterwards by Chris Wacker and Matt Dudman, making his debut. The latter made a good break out of defence at one stage and looks a promising prospect. After the disruption of the substitutions, normal service was resumed when Wacker dived onto a grubber lick on the left, just short of the dead-ball line and Lozzer converted to make it 31 - 3. At this point Bobba was becoming happier as his prediction-league score was starting to look more accurate. He became even happier when the “official attendance” of an unbelievable 2000+ was announced as it was only 5 away from his guess. The final action was Leeds scoring an unconverted try on the right through a rolling maul with Ben Hooper getting the credit for the try. Final score 36 – 3, five points and a play-off semi against London Welsh confirmed. Job done.
Whet
Making allowance for the conditions, the second half showed just what this team can do and if on the top of their game, any of the other play-off contenders can be beaten. I didn’t notice any injuries – I think all the replacements came on for tactical reasons. We seem to be getting our top players back to full fitness and on form - it was especially good to see Kirsty back in full flight. Certainly whets my appetite for the play-offs.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:05:11:09:19:54 by Wildwillie .
Some great handling in poor conditions in the second half - showed we can turn it on when we need to. Nice to see such a good crowd tho' most of them must have been in the bar
I love a good early 90s band reference! Good write up Almo
However, the YP reporter described Bentley as being influential. Maybe he wasn't at the game.
For me Sisi, Myerscough, Beck and Plug all played very well, and Georgiou had another good game.
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
What's positive is that we're beginning to see the best of Mike Myerscough now that he's injury-free, and surely must start in the play-offs. But Beck keeps playing lock alongside him who everyone says is our best #6. I'm not sure Green is ready yet (although his physical presence is always handy).. so what's the situation with Hannay and Smith? I'm guessing Smith is no longer a contender for the play-offs.
And what about Freer? is he out now?
Freer has had another op., doubt he'll be available.
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
We have seen a lot of combinations in the past couple of years and they are all quite experienced now. I reckon they're good enough.
Miserati - and Proud to be!
I would like to give a "man of the 'regular' season" award to Fred (Eric) Burden, the Geordie who has consolidated the inside centre position and always seems to create something from nothing, even if he doesn't score himself. I just hope we have signed him for next year.
We have seen a lot of combinations in the past couple of years and they are all quite experienced now. I reckon they're good enough.[/quote]
I'd start with Myerscough, he's back to full fitness and worth a starting place. If Green is fully fit, he has to start, so Beck back to #6. Sisi and Wacker on the bench. Tough on Smithy, but that's what I'd go for. Pick your best p!ayer for each position. Beech, Plug, and Tutu in the front row.
I'm also tempted to start with Georgiou on the wing, he has looked more than good enough in the last two games. Vicks probably did enough last night to start, Glyn back at 10, Lozza and Doc on the bench.
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
I agree with Almost re Fred too.
Re the game. I was most disappointed with the referee at scrum time. He simply can't allow so many resets. It should be free kick time to get the game going. Whose interest was it to run the clock down by making a mess of the scrum? I wonder. Very disappointing and unacceptable refereeing of this facet of the game.
Good description of Fred as the glue. An important everpresent over the past few years.
I thought the ref was very fair to us but we're seeing far too much dead time at scrums. The solution is obviously not easy to find but allowing front rows so long to even begin to take their mark, never mind actually 'set' is ridiculous