Farr Moss home of Moortown has proved over the past few years to be a difficult ground for Leos to gain league points and yesterday once more proved to be the case.
Despite having the majority of possession and having the ascendancy in the forwards where Dave Robinson on his return from injury led from the front, ably led by Tim Fforde who monopolised the lie out, Leos could not turn this into points. Gareth Chester sadly had to leave the field after 14 minutes with a bad gash to the head and he had to be taken to hospital as a precaution and to have stitches. He was replaced by Peter Loughenbury.
Moortown took the lead against the run of play on 30 minutes when Eastman produced a scintillating break to feed the ball to his co center who raced over for an unconverted try.
moortown defended with true grit and determination and kept their try line intact despite being under immense pressure. On 35 minutes the ref judged the home side had "killed the ball" allowing James Henry to slot a simple conversion from under the posts to make the score Moortown 5 Leos 3.
Lenny Lane also had to leave the field just on the half time whistle following an injury to his right arm and was replaced by Nick Burdon.
The pattern of the game remained the same as in the first half. On 60 minutes Leos again won a penalty following a moortown forward infringement and James Henry converted the penalty from 23 metres out to give the visitors the lead Moortown 5 Leos 6. James Forton came off the bench to replace Martin McIntosh who had as always placed a strong part in the front row.
The home side were full of spirit and determination and were back in the lead on 68 minutes when their full back converted a penalty and they increased their lead 5 minutes later when their number 10 converted a drop goal.
The game was effectively won 5 minutes from time when the ref awarded the home side a penalty and the full back once more made no mistake. Moortown 14 Leos 6
This had been a hard physical derby encounter but Leos left the field disappointed at not coming away with the victory and league points. Once more they had controlled the game for long periods but were not able to convert this into points.
Moortown once more must be given credit for defending superbly and using their chances well.
Leos are at home next week to Old Rishworthians and will be looking to secure a good victory.
Leos scorers:James Henry Penalty x 2
Leos:Lui,Patel,Sleight,Knibbs,Baker,Henry,Wood,Robinson,McIntosh,Connell,Fforde,Chester,Loughenbury,
Lane,Levitt,Barden,Burdon,Forton