ZP Preview: Tykes' credentials face sternest test

Kinga's back
By Sparkie
November 8 2002

Wasps roll out the Wycombe welcoming mat for Leeds Tykes this weekend aiming to protect a year long unbeaten record. The record began following a last ditch defeat by Newcastle. The frustration borne out of that late loss and our terrible start to the 2001-02 season was visited upon the Tykes.

359 days ago Wasps gave a tremendous team performance which blew Leeds away to the tune of 64-14. There will be no such repeat this time. Tykes have got their pack organised under Mark "Ronnie" Regan's leadership. Behind it Braam van Straaten is enjoying the fruits of Coach Jon Callard's wisdom and the team is punching its weight. That is not surprising given the sizeable frame of Phil Davies, their director of rugby who has brought the club to its present lofty position.

Callard has been rewarded for his Tyke renaissance by being named as Nigel Melville's successor as England u21s coach. He gained immense satisfaction at beating Bath on his return to his former employers and this week he secured the loan of Bath's utility back, Rob Thirlby, for one month. Clearly Bowser still has some influence over the west countrymen as he strengthens his squad during the autumn internationals. Flyhalf, Gordon Ross (late of Glasgow) joins Scotland's camp for three weeks so Bram van Straaten will step up from centre. Diego Albanese returns from international duty, though.

Ronnie will be away on England bench duty but we might expect to see him take some part in the game on Sunday. Last week their team beat Sorries fairly convincingly after an even first hour or so. (Scarbrough; Harder, Davies, Van Straaten (12-20, Emmerson), Hall; Ross, Dickens (49, Hegarty); Shelley, Regan, Kerr, Campbell (60, Murphy), Palmer, Mather, Hyde, Fea'unati.)

To counterbalance Tykes' international call-ups, Wasps lose captain, Lawrence Dallaglio, but Simon Shaw is surplus to requirements once again. England's loss is our gain. Tom Palmer and the ever pugnacious Chris Murphy will find Shawsie and Birks more than a match in the line, if we can throw in with more precision than at Leicester.

Last weekend's 9-6 defeat at Tiggers sub-aqua show was a tremendous effort and the forwards will look to dominate Tykes' pack. Last season we did this twice despite the lack of LBND or both matches and Worzel for the fifty point drubbing. With Mr. Unbelievable (Scrivs) back to his best at no.8 we are better off than last term. Let's hope Kinga and the backs get the conditions to show what they can do with good possession this week. We must avoid getting bogged down and allowing BvS to kick us to defeat.

The difference between the teams is underlined by the quality of the benches (when could you ever say that of Hardlywins?). Wasps can now field an impressive set of replacements and their impact may be the key to sustaining a lead against a much improved opposition. Complacency should not be an issue following our near miss last weekend. Our season and our home record also need sustaining. Bring your wet weather gear and stand by for another brutal contest.

Wasps:

15 Josh Lewsey; 14 Shane Roiser, 13 Stuart Abbott, 12 Ayoola Erinle, 11 Kenny Logan; 10 Alex King, 9 Rob Howley (Capt.); 1 Craig Dowd, 2 Phil Greening, 3 Will Green, 4 Simon Shaw, 5 Richard Birkett, 6 Mark Lock, 7 Paul Volley, 8 Peter Scrivener.

Bench: 16 Martyn Wood, 17 Mark Van Gisbergen, 18 Fraser Waters, 19 Joe Beardshaw, 20 Mike McCarthy, 21 Ali McKenzie, 22 Trevor Leota

Leeds

15 Dan Scarbrough; 14 Diego Albanese, 13 George Harder, 12 Tristan Davies, 11 Chris Hall; 10 Braam van Straaten, 9 Alan Dickens; 1 Mike Shelley (Capt.), 2 Rob Rawlinson, 3 Gavin Kerr, 4 Chris Murphy, 5 Tom Palmer, 6 Dan Hyde, 7 Cameron Mather, 8 Isaac Feaunati.

Bench: 16 Martin O’Keefe, 17 Matt Holt, 18 Phil Murphy, 19 Alix Popham, 20 Derek Hegarty, 21 Tom Rock, 22 Craig Emmerson.

Previous meetings:

30 Dec 2001 Won 28-18 at Headingley;
18 Nov 2001 Won 64-14 at Loftus Road

Tykes' form:
3 Nov 2002 Won 27-18 v Saracens at Headingley
26 Oct 2002 Won 22-20 v Bath at the Recreation Ground
6 Oct 2002 Won 25-13 v Bristol at Headingley
29 Sep 2002 Lost 20-27 v Newcastle at Kingston Park
20 Sep 2002 Drew 29-29 v Sharks at Headingley
14 Sep 2002 Won 33-23 v Harlequins at The Stoop
8 Sep 2002 Won 41-16 v London Irish at Headingley