Leos 19 Keighley 12

On Saturday, Leos took a break from a slightly disappointing league campaign, to welcome old friends Keighley, who are sat comfortably in mid table of York’s 1, for a first round Yorkshire Shield game. After a slow start to the season, Keighley have won three of their last four league games, with impressive victories over Selby, Heath and Malton and Norton.

Reflecting the narrowing of the gap between the two divisions, Keighley brought a full strength squad to Crag Lane, whilst Leos suffered some late withdrawals. Winter returned to fly half, Liu moved to his stronger position of wing, Yates was finally able to make his debut at full back and there was a new centre pairing. In the forwards, Scott stepped up from the second team; Stafford joined Freear in the engine room, whilst the back row had to be reshaped. After the dreadful weather of the previous week, congratulations must go to Ryan for producing a playable surface.

Keighley elected to play with the strong breeze and immediately demonstrated the direct running of their threequarters,but were met with stout resistence.Yates was safe under the high ball and cleared his line well, whilst both Lund and Liu were forced into important early tackles. A break from the base of a maul by Wood relieved the pressure, who was well supported by the entire back row.

Scrums and lineouts were even, with both sides winning their own ball, but the Keighley fly half was able to establish good field position with the boot. Leos were forced to defend for long periods, but retained their shape, helped by great work in the loose from Stafford and Litherland,whilst the new centre pairing was proving effective in defence.Unfortunatley,Yates strained his hamstring, forcing another reshuffle, but Freear and Lane were beginning to dominate the lineout, whilst Winter and Liu were dangerous with ball in hand.

Another period of Keighley pressure, resulted with Freear being sin binned, finally allowing the Keighley scrum to gain a nudge, from which their powerful No 8 forced his way over on 30mins, with Brown adding the conversion. Leos 0 Keighley 7

A break from McDaid lacked support, but Lane was able to make great yardage and Scott was accurately able to find his jumpers, allowing Chilly Wood and Winter to find touch. Coach Worrall was delighted with the first half effort and committment, but called for a repeat in the second half, which has been missing on occasion this season. Half Time Leos 0 Keighley 7

Back to a full strength for the beginning of the half with the return of Nick Freear, Leos now looked dangerous with ball in hand.Liu has blistering pace, Lund is an elusive runner, whilst Winter has tremendous balance when he receives quick ball from his half back partner. It was an outside break down the right by Liu, which was supported by both centres, which allowed Leos to equalise on 58mins, with Wynter adding the conversion. Leos 7 Keighley 7

Keighley immediately responded, with forwards and backs linking, leading to a try in the left hand corner. The difficult conversion was missed, giving a score of Leos 7 Keighley12 after 63mins.

Leos established camp in the Keighley half and with Connell and Litherland having strong games in the set piece, dominant scrum possession was finally quickly released to Wynter, who dummied three defenders, to score one of his trade mark arching tries. The conversion on 69 mins put Leos ahead for the first time in the game. Leos 14 Keighley 12

The Leos forwards again drove into their opponents and from a catch and drive, after both Scott and Stafford had been held up just short, veteran prop Connell forced himself over from 6 inches.Unfortunaltely,the conversion was missed Leos 19 Keighley 12.

For the final 6 mins,Keighley threw everything at Leos, helped by a string of penalties and the sin binning of Wynter.However,courageous last ditched defensive work from the entire team, repeatedly repelled the visitors, before the final whistle came, giving a final score of 19 - 12.

A very enjoyable game, played in good spirits in difficult conditions, quietly refereed, produced a fine spectacle for the small crowd and a pleasing result for the larger audience in the clubhouse, watching the England game. The game also marked the final match for Coach Simon Worrall, before he takes up his sabbatical, sorry, loan spell with Toulouse next season - host/steward/landlord Tony is already planning weekend trips to the south of France, no doubt building in a suitable profit margin for his efforts.

Rumours abound about Simon’s successor, and the club are expected to make an official announcement on the website this week about the identity of the new first team coach. Ladbrokes are still taking bets-watch this space!!

Man of the match judged by Tim Heaton went to Ed Connell who produced a strong performance in the front row, was excellent in the loose and also scored a try when pushed over from all of 6 inches. Well done Ed.

Next week we have a league fixture at home to Huddersfield YMCA kick off 2.15pm