Leos17 v Barnsley8

After a very satisfying victory over West Park Leeds,Leos returned to Crag Lane,for the visit of much strengthened Barnsley.After the torrential rain of friday,the pitch was in surprisingly good condition,which is testament to the improved drainage of the Paul Marshall era.

The 'bench' of last week,Lund,Forton and Levitt,all secured starting positions,whilst Skipper Robinson cycled back from Paris,to lead the team.

Barnsley started in confidant, expansive mode,helped by a number of early penalties - which was to be a theme of the entire match - but the Leos defence looked secure,thanks to early hits from both Lane and Bardon.Leos gained early ascendancy at the scrum,whilst Barnsley had a very efficient lineout.Wainwright and Henry won the early kicking dual and Leos seemed to have the edge in pace,but the visitors were structured and disciplined in defence.It took another angled breaking run from Fforde to break the Barnsley defence,but unlike last week,he was held just short of the line.

It took until the 18th minute for Leos to be awarded their first penalty,which Wainwright accurately dispatched to the corner.Fforde won clean ball at the front and veteran hooker Forton,peeled around the front,amazingly accelerated outside the flat footed winger,to score from 20m out,with Wainwright adding the conversion.

Leos failed to collect the restart,resulting in a penalty to Barnsley,which fortunately was sent wide of the posts.Leos threequarters now began to look dangerous,with Henry linking and both Knibbs and Winter,being held just short.However,on 25mins,strong runs from Bebb and Chesters,eventually led to quick ruck ball and with Wood accurately releasing his backs,Winter was able to get on the outside of his opposite number for a delightful try.The conversion put Leos 14 points clear,but more indecision at the restart,gave Barnsley another penalty,which this time was successful,reducing the margin to 11 points.

Leos then enjoyed a period of total dominance,with Levitt making a couple of breaks and Robinson,a number of big carries,but unusally this season,the backs were unable to finish promising moves,partly due to the impressive scrambling befence of Barnsley.So much so infact,that a distinguished scrum half on the touchline,accused them of profligacy - recklessly extravagant - but nevertheless,it was entertaining to watch.

The final 10 mins of the half was played almost entirely in the visitors half,but Leos couldn't breach them and it was only through their second penalty of the half,that Henry extended the lead on half time to 17 - 3.

A tough,physical half,with the game tighter than the score suggested,with both sides defences to the fore and Henry impressively confidant uner the high ball. Lane was replaced by Loughenbury and finally the Barnsley backs found a little space down their right,for a well worked try on 51min.Another break from Levitt and intelligent box kicks from Wood,secured Leos field position,but further infringements prevented Leos from building pressure.

Leos appeared to have wrapped up the game on 62mins,when the speedy Lund,comfortably outpaced the defence to 'score' in the corner,but with the referee 30m behind play,he was unsighted and gave a scrum for the ball being held up.

This seemed to inspire Barnsley,who enjoyed their best spell of the game,confidently recycling the ball and accurate handling,requiring desperate tackles from Wainwright,Knibbs and Winter,to prevent a second Barnsley score.There was no way through the Leos defence and Barnsley resorted to the boot on 72mins,but the shot went well wide.

Leos counter rucked effectively,led by the impressive Bebb and Forton and with time running out,Barnsley took another shot at goal,in an attempt to achieve a bonus point,but again without success,leaving a final score of 17 - 8,as darkness fell on Crag Lane.

This season,Leos success has been based on a successful lineout and outstanding attacking play,but today,the victory came from a dominant scrum and outstanding defence,with both Bebb and Henry enjoying their best games for the Club.With Pocklington and Huddersfield YM both winning,Leos remain in third place,ahead of Moortown,Skipton and Hullensians.

Next week,Leos travel to Doncaster,who recently drew at Barnsley,so another tough game is expected.Satisfyingly,the seconds returned from an outstanding victory at Cleckheaton,to retain top spot in Yorks Merit 2(see Yorks Rugby Union web site).

Scorers Leos:Tries Forton,Wainwright Conversions Wainwrightx2 Penalty Henry
Leos:Henry,Baker,Knibbs,Winter,Lunn,Wainwright,Wood,Robinson,Forton,Bebb,Chesters,Fforde,Barden,Lane,Levitt,Howells,Bindloss,Loughenbury
Report by Peter Cooke