The 12 Men of Leos Came, Saw & Conquered ( with a fair bit of sporting help from Huddersfield YMCA ! )

He eventually rocked up 20 mins late into a frantic first half. Hudd were big up front with a couple of pacy backs but they played simple rugby and Leos tried to move their big lads around early to tire them out. With probably the largest 10/ 12 combination in living memory of Lovers at 10 and Si Dowling (Nelly- as in elephant !) at 12 - combined weight 37 stone, pop 1 was used repeatedly as Simon made good ground up the middle. He also smashed his opposite number memeorably several times.

To some people's possible surprise Lovers kept it very simple and attempted to release the faster men of Niall, Wellsy and Pete Herring along with Andy one of our guests. Jake provided quick service from the base and Leos started to get into the game. From a break by Niall who chipped and chased a Hudd defender dropped the ball under pressure and the birthday boy dived in to secure the opening try. Fortunately it was close enough to for the stand in 10 to convert. The Leos scrum did well all day winning some of the oppo ball and securing nearly all of ours. Jake at 9 had his best game so far in a Leos shirt as he jinked and passed well, he was also brave in defence and held the ball up well when collared.

The game was fast and very to and fro with only some committed tackling keeping the home side out. They did win a kickable penalty, and slightly unusually in 3s rugby, took the points. Both sides made errors at the breakdown with lots of pens being given away. Lovers missed 3 kicks for touch from pens, pretty rubbish to be honest! and opportunities for territory were lost. Halftime arrived with Leos leading 7 -3 and the game was very much there to be won for both teams.

On a hot ish day the words were tackle hard, makes the yards and win the breakdown. Passion and Desire so lacking last week were here in abundance. The home side were determined up front and their big boys were starting to made good ground. Leos duly resisted but eventually one of their young quick backs scorched through showing good feet to score a converted try. At this point Leos really stepped on the gas as we were at the tipping point, another home score and that would be that. Good lineout work from Leos saw Simon make a huge break right through the heart of the Hudd ranks, he did well to look for support and with great patience Leos recycled the ball and it came to lovers about 10 yards from the line. He had called another pop 1 but took it up himself being a little surprised to find the line getting ever closer ! with several defenders hanging onto him he gleefully touched down close to the posts for a converted try.

With momentum behind them Leos began to play some expansive rugby, with long passes being thrown to a surprised Wellsy ! Herring did get grumpy when position was kicked for rather than giving him the ball but hey ho ! He ran well all day as usual, and thankfully his and Wellsys bacofoil hamstrings held up cos if we had lost anyone else we would have been stuffed. As Leos dominated from yet another Dowling break our guest flanker, supporting superbly crashed over for a 3rd try which was again converted. Poll got into the game with some big hits and even a tried a cheeky chip kick which was nearly charged down. He did get on the end of a move which saw him score out wide, conversion missed. By now the result was decided as there was only 5 mins left, some tired defending saw Hudd score another deserved try to make the final score 26 -17 to Leos.

The game was played in a good spirit, from the off when we were given 3 players, so many thanks to Huddersfield,with only Cranfield getting a touch cross and having a very mild case of handbags !
This was a wonderful effort with only 12 players, especially after a 50 point drubbing last week. The beer tasted sweet and Niall and friends celebrated his 40th birthday long into the night starting at Jongleurs and ending up in The Champagne bar, no surprise there then !
Next week we take on fierce local rivals Roundhesians with a guest captain as Jim takes a well earnt holiday. Please make every effort to be available as they are always so much harder to play at their place.

PS Champagne gives an awful hangover !! just ask Jim.