Preview - Leeds v Sarries LV=
Buy this man a drink
By TykeTaff
January 27 2010
Phil Davies (he used to coach Leeds once) once said that there was something special about the atmosphere at Headingley for a Friday night game. I confess I've never worked out what Big Phil meant. The cold? The small crowds? The dodging of the intoxicated students at the Original Oak? Who knows.
Anyway, this particular Friday sees the Tykes take on Southern
Hemisphere opposition in the LV= Cup (is it the only cup competition with
punctuation in its name?). Some have suggested that the LV= has failed
to catch the enthusiasm of the rugby-watching public, and they're right.
Certainly for the Tykes, who still maintain some slight hope of survival
in the Premiership, this game is little more than a distraction.
The Tykes come off a performance against Bath that some of their most
optimistic supporters have described as "poor". The recent performance
against Bourgoin could best be described as "abject", and only then
because your correspondent wishes to avoid censorship. The only bright
spot in 2010 has been an Amlin Cup (no punctuation, see?) win in Parma
against a team already eliminated from the competition.
Sarries' form (that's a grim web-site they've got - it took me ages to
find the results) seems rather better. A recent win over Toulon
(including Jonny, no less) is the highlight, and solid form in the
Premiership is shown in their lofty league position.
A lot will depend, of course, on the teams that are selected. For the
last LV= outing the Tykes picked a second team which beat a makeshift
combined team of Leicester reserves and Nottingham players reasonably
comfortably. The team that played in the same competition at Sale was
similar, so we can expect the same from the Tykes.
Saracens will have to travel north without their main defensive weapon,
the effective David Rose. But they will probably still have enough
firepower to achieve a comfortable victory. They seem to have picked
reasonably strong sides in the LV= to date. [The team that was sent to Franklins Gardens was weaker than some line-ups that have represented the Storm. Ed]
Word has reached the frozen north that Sarries do not favour an open,
flowing game. Since the Tykes have similar issues (but for different
reasons), this game is not set to be a feast of open rugby. It will be
one for the purists, as they say.
Some Tykes supporters will approach the game with the view that it could
scarcely be worse than Bourgoin. However, it seems likely that many will
not approach it at all, and just stay away. The game is not included in
the season ticket, and the prices at the gate are steep. Moreover,
sister club the Leeds Rhinos are also playing on Friday night, in a game
that can be watched, free of charge, from a comfortable warm pub. There
are likely to be more fezzes than flat caps at the game.
If you are making the trip from the south, enjoy the game. If you want
me, I'll probably be in the Supporters Club watching t' Rhinos.
Useful Info
- Parking around the ground is tricky. Many roads are "permit only" on
match days. Look around carefully for signs (they are well hidden).
The area off Kirkstall Lane is best.
- The best beer before the game is in the Supporters Club in the South
Stand car park (the South Stand is the "standing" one). And you could
stay there and watch the Rhinos. There is little worth drinking in the
ground, but pass outs back to the Club can usually be arranged.
- The Original Oak and Skyrack are near the ground but will be busy with
students and sell little worth drinking. [The author may have overlooked the recent introduction of real ale into the ‘Oak, when penning this, then again, he may have tried the stuff and found it below his usual standards, Ed. Stop Press – T’author has recovered a brain cell and now recalls that the cask ale in the Original Oak IS to be recommended, however he counsels that the pub is likely to be busy.]
- Biltong is not available in the ground (bring your own). The food
within the ground does not usually get rave reviews. Brett's chip
shop on North Lane before the game is best.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:02:06:18:53 by TonyTaff.
We nipped out of the England West Indies debacle at lunchtime
to watch England Australia in the world cup (in South Africa)
The pint of Tim Taylors Landlord - before they started to mass produce it - was so wonderful I had finished it before the other 3 pints in the round had been poured by the barmaid
but that was around 15 years ago
If you want a lovely pint of Landlord, come to Keighley. It's an urban myth that it has deteriorated - the problem is that it is now widely sold from outlets that don't possess the skill to keep it properly. Most of these are in the South.
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!
Headingley is a class ground. Enjoy, for all those who are going.
Perhaps I should have illustrated the article with a picture of Marvin the paranoid android?
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!
Quote:IcemanFez
Superb preview, in a "want to slash my wrists" vein, ,,,, excellent insight, glad I'm not a Leeds supporter
It's not too bad. Two league wins in the last three years, a shiny cup at Twickers in living memory and another cup final last year is not all bad.
PT
Leaving from Leeds about 12 Saturday midday.
I have 3 spare seats. If you would like to share the journey, please PM me.
The Leeds day has dawned cloudy, but the sun is now breaking through. It'll be a bit cold tonight, so you might want to fur-line the fez.
For anyone driving and seeking to park near the ground - check very carefully for "permit holder only on match day" signs. There are many of these around the ground, and they are often well hidden. Wardens *do* patrol during the games. You are best looking to park on the Kirkstall Lane side of the ground, in the side streets near the cricket ground.
And if you're on the train, the nearest station is Burley Park, not Headingley :-). A taxi from Leeds station would be about £8-£10, so would be cheaper than the train if there's a few travelling.
Have a good trip up!
PT
I am leaving now, but if anyone wants two and can find me in the pub, or already have my phone no - your welcome to them.
Quote:Kat
Due to an anministrative screw up on my behalf I have tix waiting for me at Headingly AND tix here at home.
I am leaving now, but if anyone wants two and can find me in the pub, or already have my phone no - your welcome to them.
If anyone can get a message to Kat, it's pay on the gate, so there would be no problem selling them in the car park behind the stand.
I have two folk coming with me who will pay on the gate. TonyTaff would be able to find me.
PT
I am not sure that I know who you are! I'll be the drunken bum without a fez, but I'll be wearing a fezboyz shirt with my nom-de-web on it. Having horded up the waifs and strays from the station, I hope to be in the Supporters' club shortly after 7.
Please accost me.
Having shucked along to Headingley (hoping to see a Leeds win) for both the Bath & Bourgoin games, should you not change your name to 'Pathos', or perhaps, 'Bathos'?
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!
managed to offload the tix.
T'was cold wasn't it?
Maybe I'm adjusting to the Northern climate
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!