Falcons edge into final after tense second leg win
By Leipziger
May 14 2013
It wasn't simple, it wasn't easy, and it certainly wasn't comfortable. But at the end of the tie, the Falcons scored more points over 160 minutes and that is all that matters – the Premiership dream is still on track!
The second leg at KP on Sunday may not have been a display of fast-flowing rugby but in terms of control it was an infinitely better performance than at Headingley six days earlier and the Falcons rarely seemed in danger.
Few were surprised when, after initially naming an unchanged 22, the Falcons made some late changes and brought Grant Shiells, Matt Thompson, Carlo del Fava and Tom Catterick into the starting lineup. More surprising was the partnering of Adam Powell with Suka Hufanga, who hadn't taken the field for the first team since two days before Christmas.
In front of a vociferous crowd of over 6,000, more than 1,000 more than our previous highest attendance in the Championship, the Falcons went on the attack early and took Leeds on down the left but had to be content with a Jimmy Gopperth penalty.
Still, we had the first score and the aggregate deficit was down to just two points.
The Falcons were not in the mood to take any risks having seen two breakaway tries lose the game in Leeds, and so as the away side's penalty count increased so Gopperth continued to go for goal from anywhere approaching realistic range.
A second penalty put us ahead on aggregate for the first time on the day, and though the third attempt missed, Gopperth knocked over two more kicks and suddenly at 31-24 overall things looked a bit more comfortable.
Leeds were not happy to lie down however. Ahead of half-time Joe Ford cut our lead by three points as the Cardigans mounted their first dangerous attack. His second attempt failed to hit the target though and at the break the Falcons were four points up in the tie.
Even though the Falcons were in control and some fans thought we would now be fine, many were desperate for a try to at least settle some nerves. Four points was not enough when we knew Leeds were capable of scoring from nothing.
Indeed the Yorkshiremen were first on the scoresheet in the second half with another Ford penalty, taking them to within range to take the lead with another kick.
The Falcons though were full of purpose and put together their most dominant half of rugby in weeks.
Gopperth restored our nine-point lead on the day through his fifth penalty and the Falcons pounded the Leeds line, but roared on by the South Stand behind the goal could not find a way through an excellent away defence as the likes of Mark Wilson, Carlo del Fava and Matt Thompson all made big efforts. The backs had little more luck when the ball was spread.
Wor Jimmy had two further penalty chances with ten minutes to go, but with Kingston Park silent and fans linking arms, unable to watch or just hoping their hearts would stop pounding, both relatively simple kicks missed.
It was not what those of a nervous disposition needed.
The Falcons looked like they would see the game out however, until Warren Fury box-kicked from a ruck when sense should have told the Falcons to keep picking-and-going. Nine points up on aggregate, that meant that a Leeds try would at least give the visitors extra time and a conversion would see them into the final.
Fortunately we were able to hold out and eventually, after four minutes of injury time that felt like four years, the ball was sent into the stands and referee Wayne Barnes blew the full-time whistle. Geordies all around KP erupted in sheer relief after a heart-racing 80 minutes.
There's now a stop against Leinster A on Friday night in the cup final before full steam ahead to Bedford. That might be even more tense than the Leeds tie was, but it is the one we've been waiting for all year and for that alone, it'll be worth watching.
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I need a lie down now.
We were 4 points up on aggregate so a try wouldve put them through . hence I was a chain smkoing wreck last 10 mins till the whistle blew!
Thanks Leipy as always a thoroughly enjoyable read and spot on.
Yes it was not free flowing but the result was never in doubt. Leeds might have ran the length of the pitch for a breakaway try if there was a sniff of that but other than banging it out of their half and trying to get some pitch presence they had nothing left after their massive defensive effort.
That's not to knock them because that defense was amazing and their work ethic was laudable.
I really enjoyed that game for the chess board it was. If Falcons had got in behind and scored at some point in the second half it might have been a very different matter but the defence held and and the longer it held the less likely it was to break.
Falcons maybe should have tried a plan B but then again plan A was good enough to take them into the last two championship games of the season and that was what mattered.
I seriously rate Leeds as one for next year and beyond if they can hang onto their pack. However their centres and the full back seemed to lack a little bit gas yesterday and maybe that was made me feel quite secure even tho the win was only 4 points.
I hope this doesnt come across as rude to Leeds but I enjoyed that game as I was tapping my flag off the floor all the way through in nervouse excitement.
Quote:aapierre
I really enjoyed that game for the chess board it was.....
If the stakes hadn't been so high I really would have enjoyed it from start to finish, some excellent work on display. We have the game recorded so looking forward to watching it with the pressure off.
it is quite a powerful display by our guys