Thrilling Encounter at the Stoop!

By apb
November 26 2004

Its a must-win game for Leeds this weekend. After the supreme disappointment of losing in the dying seconds to Bath last week (so disappointing I could bring myself to write the review of it....), Leeds find themselves drawn down again towards the wrong end of the table.

A loss would see a definite gap open up between the top eight and the bottom four sides, and Leeds would be firmly in it - a battle against relegation, and the unenviable epithet of "perennial underachievers".

A win would put them right back on course for the stated goal of a Heineken Cup qualification place, and will set the appetite again for the visit of the Spanish Club Valladolid to Headingley in a week's time.

So what's it to be?

On paper, Leeds are fielding one of the strongest teams they've ever had, with Balshaw back in the starting line-up, and Regan back in at hooker; that's not to say Rawly had a bad one last week - the pack in general were excellent last week, and it shows the strength of the team if you can play so well and still be relegated to the bench! The back line too are finding their feet and becoming more of a cohesive unit. Gareth Wright is gaining stature in the fly-half spot, and the others don't really need much introduction!

But the game isn't played on paper its played on grass, and the grass is where the Harlequins have been having a bit of a renaissance these last few weeks. They appeared to be a club in turmoil a few short weeks ago, with the structure of the club, and in particular Mark Evans' dual role as DoR and Chief Executive coming into question.

But these questions have gone quiet now, and the 'Quins appear to have found their form just when they needed it. A couple of ZP wins has lifted them from the bottom of the table and put Wuss back down in position 12. A win on Sunday for the Quins wouldn't be enough to lift them above Leeds, but they would be very much closer!

Like Leeds, the Quins aren't troubled too much by the England selectors - perhaps for the first time in many a year - and they lose very few to other international call-ups. Indeed, it looks like Leeds might be suffering ever so slightly more in this regard!

Form wise, as said above, the 'Quins are on the up, and must be riddled with confidence after their excellent win against Sale last week - regardless of the depleted state of their opponents. Leeds are on the opposite slope, with two narrowish losses after bossing each of the last two ZP games for much of the time. Three weeks ago this would have been a nailed on four or five pointer for Leeds, but it clearly will be much more difficult now.

Match Predicition?

The last two meetings of these teams have been dull, dour encounters that have not done anything to raise the profile of the noble sport of Rugby Union in Leeds. I think, though, that this Sunday will be different. I can't predict a score, or even a winner, but I think those who are going down the M1 (and I think as many of you as possible should make the effort if you possibly can), will have an excellent couple of hours entertainment.

Enjoy it you lucky souls!

Teams:

Leeds Tykes

15. Tim Stimpson
14. Iain Balshaw
13. Chris Bell
12. Andre Snyman
11. David Rees
10. Gareth Wright
9. Alan Dickens
1. Mike Shelley
2. Mark Regan
3. Rayno Gerber
4. Scott Morgan
5. Tom Palmer (c)
6. Pierre Uys
7. Dan Hyde
8. Colm Rigney

Replacements:
16. Matt Holt
17. Rob Rawlinson
18. Chris Murphy
19. Jon Dunbar
20. Mark McMillan
21. Phil Christophers
22. Tom Biggs/Gordon Ross

Harlequins

15. Tom Williams
14. George Harder
13. Dafydd James
12. Mel Deane
11. Simon Keogh
10. Jeremy Staunton
9. Steve So’oialo
1. Mike Worsley
2. Tani Fuga
3. Ceri Jones
4. Roy Winters
5. Simon Miall
6. Nick Easter
7. Andre Vos (Capt.)
8. Tony Diprose

Replacements:
16. James Hayter
17. Jon Dawson
18. Simon Maling
19. Luke Sherriff
20. Andy Dunne
21. Ugo Monye
22. Gavin Duffy