Yorkshire – A Recipe For Disaster

For the second time in two weeks, Yorkshire Carnegie made the short trip to the south of our beloved county. They made both trips on the back of bonus point victories the previous week, while both opponents had been on the wrong end of a thrashing at Worcester in their previous outing.

And, today, just as at Doncaster, Carnegie were made to look a very second best against a strong, and determined Rotherham Titans. Even though the Titans final try came in stoppage time, 6 tries to 3 doesn’t do the hosts justice. They did everything better and quicker than their visitors, and most of all took more advantage of the windy conditions. Even a Ryan Burrows hat trick of tries couldn’t add any comfort to a poor display, and it was a very jubilant Lee Blackett who spoke to us after the game.

After a good start for Carnegie, they took a scrum against the head, and stole a line out, things went downhill. Roth scored after 11 minutes when they shipped the ball at speed to cross in the corner, and they doubled the lead after a series of pick and go drives on the visitors’ line. Neither try was converted, but Yorkshire found a way back into the game when they turned down a vey kickable penalty to go for the corner. The reward came when a powerful drive took Ryan Burrows over the whitewash. Leeds had the wind at their backs, and another penalty in the same position saw them go for the corner again. This time however, they messed up and when they conceded a penalty Roth cleared their lines comfortably, and increased their lead with a penalty with the last kick of the first half.

Despite playing with the wind behind them the only highlight of what was a fairly even first half was a terrific mazy 40 yard run from Sam Egerton, but he was hauled down before any support could get to him. To go in 13 – 5 down left the visitors with an uphill task in the second half. Paul Hill came on as a replacement but it wasn’t long before he was off again, Sir losing patience at the persistent offending of the men in white.

From then on things went rapidly downhill. Roth used the wind to play for position, and did it very well. They dominated all over the park, and Carnegie had no answer as they became more disjointed than they have all season. As ever, replacements brought fresh legs, but not much improvement, and Roth took full control. As usual, when Leeds did have the ball they made silly errors, forward passes, knock-ons etc, and conceded penalties with increasing regularity.

Roth crossed the whitewash four times in the final period, but Leeds showed some fight, and skipper Ryan Burrows crossed twice more to complete a hat trick.

It is tradition on here to give a bottle of pop to the man of the match, so here goes. Alex Reider, Curtis Wilson, and Mark Tampin would all have been considered had they not been wearing a different coloured shirt. Goss and Georgiou worked tirelessly in the backs, while up front, Williams and Buzz kept the hosts on their toes. But Sam Egerton is taking the prize, another lively display, some great breaks, and one which makes me hope he will get a contract at Headingley. Well played Sam.