The Bain(bridge) of their lives
By Gelbel
October 18 2015
The final fifteen minutes of a lack lustre performance from Yorkshire Carnegie saw them go from a 21 point deficit to scaring the living day lights out of Bristol to come away with four try and losing bonus points and only feet short of a win.
Now I will admit to forgetting I was writing the report once I'd a few glasses of hospitality red wine down me so this review may not be a true reflection of play but will be of what could've/should've been. Apologies for any typos in advance as this was written and posted on a mobile after a few more drinks and a short time on a wobbly boat!
Leonard opened his account with a penalty early on after some nice passing of the ball. But Yorkshire then found themselves behind with a try created by the Bristol forwards following an infringement which happened as Yorkshire were kicking away practically every bit of possesion and getting pinged when tackling to try to get it back.
Lenoard put Yorkshire ahead with a second penalty but the advantage was immediately lost when Pilgrim was sin binned. Bristol then set about scoring like a hot knife through butter as they sliced through the Yorkshire defence for another try that Henson converted. 12-6
Keeping hold of the ball gained Yorkshire a close lineout that saw Bainbridge score his first try of the day which Leonard converted. 12-13. After a penalty a each, Bristol fashioned a simliar try which meant it was 23-16 at half time. Bristol sliced through the Yorkshire backs to get their bonus point try but it was quickly followed by a lovely roling maul that Bainbridge was at the bottom of when it went over the line.
Within minutes Bristol worked a similar try and not long after Varndell showed his speed and off loaded for another try. At 44-23 I was cursing the continuous kicking away of the ball as it allowed Bristol to attack and they were very nearly scoring at will by making whack gurt holes in our defence. A chip kick from Yorkshire in a decent position was not chased so was more wasted possession. But after that they kept hold of the ball as the recycled line out was driven over with Bainbridge getting his hat trick. Leonard made the difficult conversion.
Jarvis had replaced Henson and he got a penalty to make it 47-30. Then Yorkshire Carnegie got a second wind, Hodgson was making a difference and Buzz woke up. Another driving line out had Bainbridge scoring again but Leonard hit the post - even the local fans gasped when that happened.
Then Bainbridge got his fifth - yes folks FIVE tries on the day for the England U20 youngster.
Although there was 80 minutes on the clock, there was still time to play - the boys were lining up for kick of as Leonard scored the conversion. 47-42. There must've been close to 20 phases as Yorkshire edged closer to the line, throwing the ball wide, keeping it alive for the forwards to come in and take it forward again, out to the backs, forwards crashing ahead again and about five metres to go, another recycle but somehow Bristol got a finger nail on the ball, grabbed hold of it and booted it into the crowd.
The Yorkshire boys collapsed. An amazing last quarter/fifteen minutes but if that does not confirm the need to keep hold of the ball then I don't know what will. After seven rounds it surely doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out it doesn't work.
Man of the match by the 200 odd miles to Bristol, Josh Bainbridge. Shout out for Smith in the line out and Ryder and Casson for their work rate.
Chatting with Bristol fans after the match, the feeling was we really pushed them but I just can't help thinking what could've/should've been if we played for the whole match, not a scant quarter of it.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:11:03:09:27:03 by Gelbel.
I also think Brush's rotation system of keeping squad members involved and not over-stressing star players is cleverer than he gets credit for.
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
Great report that last quarter was breathless.
We were sitting in the stand surrounded by Bristol Fans and with 20 to go I leaned over to my wife and said "Tongue-in-cheek" only 3 converted try's what's the problem.
And at that point the guys seemed to throw caution to the wind and started playing. Watching that last 15 minutes was spell binding and they were so close to doing it, I am waiting to see the video as I was convinced the last but one play was an slap down (intentional knock-on) by a Bristol player.
But to be fair I came away with confidence for the rest of the season.
The final parting word's from the Bristol fan sitting next to me were "see you in the final"
Really pleased we went.
luckily for us there weren't quite enough rabbits left in the hat for you, but it did only seem like the last 5 mins that you put some phases together with any real intent
sort that out and you'll be very hard to beat
Disappointed we conceded so many though.
Pleased to read Hodgson made a difference when he came on too
There will surely be changes at half back next week, something has to be done to get the backs firing.
"but it appeared to be a different Yorkshire team to last year in terms of style of play, far less cutting edge in the backs who didn't really get a look"
That's been the story of the season. As I've said on many occasions before it's all to do with the game plan rather than the backs not firing. 5 driving maul tries says it all.
We may well finish in the top 2 but we won't attract many fans. I don't personally believe that winning games and entertainment are, or should be, mutually exclusive.
If we lose games, doing so with 2 points is always handy.
Real nail-biting last 15 minutes. Defence coaches on both sides have some work to do - the biq question is how to legally stop a rolling maul!
Quote:Rocky's Dad
I am waiting to see the video as I was convinced the last but one play was an slap down (intentional knock-on) by a Bristol player.
I can see why you thought that. It looks to me like Hampson attempted to catch the ball (2 hands) but deflected it, and the ball continued to travel backwards. Definitely open to interpretation but doesn't look like a slap down to me.
Quote:farmertyke
Thanks Gelbel.......sounds like discipline and kicking cost us the game. At least they can be worked on.
IMHO it was the kicking that did for us more than discipline. But discipline did go pear shaped because of the kicking.
Quote:Carnegiette1
Pleased to read Hodgson made a difference when he came on too
Came on for Pilgrim, while Jonah did the honours when he was in the bin. The sooner we can get competition (of the competent sort, if you catch my drift) for Leonard the better...
Quote:EverOptimistic
Video highlights Bris TV
Real nail-biting last 15 minutes. Defence coaches on both sides have some work to do - the biq question is how to legally stop a rolling maul!
Quote:Rocky's Dad
I am waiting to see the video as I was convinced the last but one play was an slap down (intentional knock-on) by a Bristol player.
I can see why you thought that. It looks to me like Hampson attempted to catch the ball (2 hands) but deflected it, and the ball continued to travel backwards. Definitely open to interpretation but doesn't look like a slap down to me.
Unfortunately when you are sitting level with the centre line and the action is 40 yards away and you see a hand raised by a Bristol player and the ball ricochet away it hard to tell exactly what happened.
As I said without the benefit of televised replays at the time you need to wait and see the video.
As you say looks like Hampo tried to catch it, so its not an issue.
Mind you in the split second that it happened "live" it was hard to be sure
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
The Bristol Highlights are very professionally presented.
Quote:Plumgarth400
The rolling maul is an interesting issue. It is becoming a very potent weapon after a kick to the corner. It seems like there is no legal way to defend it that doesn't mean ultimately conceding a try. Maybe the best way is to be better at competing in the line out. That might be the answer i.e. line out skills.
Yes, it is an interesting point, Plum.
The jumper/catcher has two lifter-guards on either side and transfers the ball [i]while still in the air[i] to a fourth forward coming in behind the shield. Is this legal? If we stood off and sent one in to tackle the jumper, presumably he'd be blocking.