Hessle 10 v Leodiensians 25

Leos rearranged match with Hessle was surprisingly played on saturday. It proved to be the only match played in Yorkshire 2 and one of only a few in the North of England. The pitch was clear of snow and although firm in places was perfectly playable.

Leos had to make some enforced changes with Bindloss coming in at full-back in place of Matt Freear, Jamie Scott at hooker and Tim Fforde moving to No. 8 for Lane who had succumbed to a virus.

Leos started strongly and were rewarded with a penalty for offside which Mark Winter converted to put them 3 points up. The lead was short lived, however, as Hessle pushed deep into Leos territory and were awarded a penalty for offside which Poucher converted to level the scores.

Both sides tried to run the ball but progress was difficult as the top surface was slippy, making it difficult for both sets of backs to change direction. Leos started to control the game midway through the first half and Winter provided two perfectly timed passes to centre Knibbs for him to cut through the defence to score under the posts. Winter converted both and Leos went into the half time break 17 – 3 up.

Leos were soon down to 14 men as Connell was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle a minute before half time, and he was joined by Fforde shortly after the break for a technical offence at a ruck, which left Hessle facing 13 men.

Hessle started the second half in determined fashion with hooker Atkinson to the fore and it was his break which, although halted short of the line, led to him being driven over for a try which Poucher converted to get the home side back in it at 10-17.

Leos set pieces were working well and with Winter being supplied with quicker ball than of late he took control of the game and kept Hessle pinned back in their 22. The pressure told and Leos were awarded a penalty for an offence at a ruck and Winter kicked a good goal to extend the lead to 10 points.

The latter part of the second half continued in this vein with Hessle having to defend and kick to clear their lines. Shortly before the end a clever attacking kick by Winter forced turnover ball and McDaid picked up and dived over in the corner to seal the victory.

Sadly, the game, which had been played in good spirit was marred by a fracas about 15 minutes from time when Nick Freear was sin-binned and the otherwise impressive Atkinson was red-carded.

Bonuses for the Leos were the return to the front row of Dave Robinson, who started to get into the game in the loose in the second half and draw in the several tacklers needed to pull him down. Tom Bindloss had a good all –round game at full back in both attack and defence. Scrum and lineout were effective, and Winter controlled things nicely from stand-off.

Coaches Greenwood and Rock were happy with the win but not with certain aspects of the overall performance and will be looking for good attendances at training this week to try and tighten things up for the forthcoming games in the second half of the season.

Leodiensian: Bindloss, Lund, McDaid, Knibbs, Baker, Winter, Wood, Connell, Scott, Robinson, Stafford, N. Freear, Bell, Burdon, Fforde. Subs: Dowling, Lynch, Haslam

Leos man of the match James Knibbs

Hullensians at home next week await, as we continue our climb up the table.